In a powerful address at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Report Women Programme in Lagos, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba has emphasized the critical role women play in Nigeria’s battle against corruption and injustice.
The event, organized by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, served as a platform to highlight the importance of women’s leadership and representation in the media and society.
Mr. Osoba, who served as governor from 1999 to 2003, lamented the historical marginalization of women’s voices, stating, “For too long, we’ve overlooked the voices and leadership of women; yet, we can’t tell the story of our nation, nor can we fight the battles of injustice and corruption if we silence half of our population.”
He called for increased representation of women in leadership positions, stressing that their insights and experiences are vital for comprehensive storytelling and effective governance.
The 75-year-old journalist and political figure underscored the impact of the Report Women Programme, which aims to bridge the gender gap in journalism by enhancing the visibility of women in the field.
He noted, “With over 500 female experts now readily accessible to journalists, this guide will make it easier to ensure that the voices shaping the news reflect the diversity of our society.
It is a significant advancement in giving women the platform they deserve.”
Osoba also took the opportunity to address the issue of professionalism in journalism, urging a crackdown on untrained individuals tarnishing the profession’s reputation.
“We must identify those journalists who are not trained, who are giving us very bad, terrible names, who are writing fake news. It is one of our biggest challenges to create credible, reliable news on the internet,” he asserted.
Supporting the call for women’s empowerment in journalism, Julie McKay, public affairs officer at the United States Consulate, praised the strides made by women journalists in the U.S. and expressed hope for similar progress in Nigeria.
She emphasized that women in leadership roles foster gender balance and have a positive influence across various sectors, underscoring the necessity of training and mentorship to achieve these goals.
“Journalists should write reports that promote gender balance as well as women as leaders and experts,” McKay urged.
The president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, commended the WSCIJ for amplifying women’s voices over the past decade.
He lauded the unveiling of the Report Women Experts platform, designed to facilitate access to over 500 female experts in fields such as politics, crime, and security.
Motunrayo Alaka, executive director and CEO of WSCIJ, articulated the programme’s objectives, which include improving news access and quality while addressing issues affecting women and girls.
She stated, “The Report Women! programme holds news media leaders accountable for the gap between equality and equity in the newsroom and their duty to ensure human rights and fair representation.”
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