A major crisis has erupted within the Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) following allegations that a ?39 million cash donation by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for an overseas training program was fraudulently diverted by a few senior members of the Association in collaboration with two female television correspondents.

Reliable sources told The Guardian that the governor had, in September 2025, approved ?39 million to support a capacity-building training for female journalists in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, after the association sought his financial assistance.

However, controversy erupted soon after the funds were released, as the program was never attended and the money allegedly disappeared.

According to sources, the Delta NAWOJ Chairperson, Sonia Unobunjo of Delta Rainbow Television (DRTV), Warri, reportedly initiated the funding request along with a few members. When the move appeared stalled, she allegedly enlisted the support of two female Delta government House correspondents who are not registered members of NAWOJ to leverage their closeness to the governor to fast-track the release of the funds.

It was learnt that the governor approved and released ?39 million. But after collecting the money, the supposed participants never attended the Amsterdam training.

Multiple NAWOJ insiders accused the chairperson and her alleged collaborators of sharing the money among themselves, sidelining most members who were originally listed for the program.

One executive member, who pleaded anonymity, said: “After receiving the ?39 million, the two female correspondents kept the funds and refused to release them. They reportedly gave the NAWOJ chairperson ?2 million and another member ?3 million, while others got nothing. The training was never held, yet they claimed to have travelled abroad.”

Another aggrieved member alleged that the initial three-day training was fraudulently recorded as a one-month program to justify the huge funding request.

“This is a shameful act. The money was meant to empower female journalists in Delta State, but it was hijacked by a few individuals. We have already written a petition to the governor asking for a full investigation into the matter,” she said.

The crisis has reportedly deepened as members accuse the chairperson of manipulating the association’s leadership election to secure a second term, allegedly without allowing other members to purchase nomination forms.

When contacted, the Delta NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Ogugua Unobunjo, denied any wrongdoing, saying “NAWOJ did not write any letter to the governor soliciting for funds”.

“Today is my election, and I won’t be able to discuss any issue now. Maybe after the election.”

A Delta State Government official who pleaded anonymity confirmed the allegations.

The scandal, however, has cast a dark shadow over the integrity of the Delta NAWOJ chapter, with many members demanding accountability and transparency in the management of funds allocated to the association. (THE GUARDIAN)