By Halimah Olamide
The Former Governor, Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has stated that for a long time, the voice and leadership of women, has been overlooked.
He made the assertion at the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism, WSCIJ’s ReportWomen@10 programme and the Public Presentation of Experts Source Guide.
The event held on Thursday, 3rd of October, 2024 at Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event was chaired by Former Governor, Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, with speakers including; the DVC of Paul University, Chineyere Okunna, Consul General, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherland, Michael Deleen, Programmes Officer of Gates Foundation, Dikens Olewe, Deputy Director of MarArthur Foundation, Amina Salihu, President of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, the Public Affairs Consulate of US Consolate, Julie McKay, President of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo, Executive Director of Wimbiz, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, and the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Adeola Ekine.
Osoba noted that the story of the nation cannot be reported without the inclusion of women.
“For too long, we have overlooked the voices and leadership of women.
“Yet we cannot tell the story of our nation, nor can we fight the battles of injustice and corruption if we silence half of our population.” He said.
Speaking on the birth of ‘Report Women, the CEO, WSCIJ, Motunrayo Alaka, noted that there was low participation of women in the entry for the WSCIJ’s annual awards, hence the initiative to create more room and bridge the gap in female reporting.
The Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, highlighted that the equality is not a woman issue, but rather a human right issue.
She however reiterated that there is still much work to be done on the inclusion of women.
In the same vein, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Adeola Ekine, expressed her displeasure with the low inclusion rate of women in newsrooms saying
“Unfortunately, only about 40% of our newsrooms are filled with women.”
“Today’s event is not just to celebrate the past, but about the future where the voices of women are heard loud.”
However she noted that the ‘Report Women! Experts’, website will encourage diverse perspectives in news and news analysis, and will also provide essential resources to journalists and researchers.
Ijeoma Popoola, the Head of Metropolitan Desk, News Agency of Nigeria, represented by Ifeyinwa Omowole, noted the shift in newsroom and newsroom leadership.
According to her, a lot of women do not have their voices heard, therefore calling for an intensity in efforts.
She noted in her remarks that thousands of women and girls are inspired when the success stories of women are shared.
“I am seeing a gradual shift in our newsroom and newsroom leadership.
“I want to encourage to do more. A lot of women do not have their voices heard.”
In a bid to celebrate 10 years of Report Women, a female experts source guide website was launched, with over 500 female thought leaders from different sectors to facilitate their engagement as sources in the news.