NAWOJ National Chairperson, Aisha Ibrahim Receives Distinguished Persons Honourary Award

By Joy Robinson

Owerri- A frontline humanitarian service organization, Uju Charity and Empowerment Initiative, has described the personality of Aisha Ibrahim, National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists , NAWOJ, as “Selfless, unassuming and love personified.”

Making this assertion on November 27 in Owerri, Imo state at a get together of stakeholders put together by officials of the organization to honour the first female journalist in Nigeria, Hon. Victor Diala, Secretary of the Uju Charity Organization stated that the organization deemed it necessary to confer the Honourary Award to the NAWOJ boss during a board meeting where her contribution in assuaging the plight of flood victims in Borno and environs were assessed, and the board described it as an immense feat for a single individual and enjoined her to continue in the service to humanity.

Also commending the Chairperson, Hon. Ambassador Chika Uju, Founder of the organization and a veteran journalist, said, “From my quiet corner in the diaspora, I followed up on posts sent by journalists on various social media platforms during the flood disaster which ravaged parts of Maiduguri, Borno state, and I took critical note of your passion, your amazing disposition to service to humanity and my mind was blown! You cooked, bought relief materials in their hundreds and spread joy and calm among helpless and hitherto hopeless people. You worked tirelessly to bring succor to those in distress and we sincerely, deeply appreciate your help. We wish we could do more to honour you, but be rest assured, God will reward your labour of love and compassion for his people. ”

The organization had held a Summit on November 6 when the award was to be presented to the NAWOJ National Chairperson but decided to present it to her in person.

Ambassador Chika Uju described the NGO as “Kingdom Investment focused on service to humanity and Bridging the Gap in Social contract with the people.”

She also decried the lip service by agencies of Government in tackling social issues which call for serious concern and intervention and admonished government at all tiers to desist from playing politics with the welfare of suffering people.

The Uju Charity Organization’s advocacies include Girl-Child Education, Support to Widows and Indigent people, Visit to Hospitals among other people-centred solution-based services.

Responding, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim stated that while the award was not anticipated, she was overwhelmed by the “spirit behind the Award,” which she described as godly and praised the efforts of the organizers as co-agents of change with NAWOJ which, she noted, is a service-driven organization.

She also stated that when she saw the plight of hundreds of people displaced by the floods, she was emotionally disturbed and knew that humanity was on test and had to act.

“Well over 6,000 displaced persons were fed at 6 points, yet it was as if we were only beginning as the number of people grew at each point.

My joy was the relief and gratitude I saw in the eyes of everyday people who were normally not prepared for what hit them.”

She thanked the Founder of the Uju Charity and Empowerment Initiative for the kind gesture, and also appreciated the monitary support sent by the organization at the time to alleviate the plight of those in distress.

She further appreciated the honour done her, including the gathering of great leaders of both the organization and NAWOJ, and described it as qualitative.

Among dignitaries who graced the award ceremony was Comrade Ifeyinwa Omowole, former National Chairperson, NAWOJ, former VPs, Chairpersons of NAWOJ and Comrade Grace Ijeoma Umeh, Chief of Staff to the National Chairperson.