By Ada Nkong
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D has condemned the spare of violent crimes and attacks in communities across the country, especially in the North Central.
In a communique issued after its Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting, held in Lafia, Nasarawa State, presided over by the Vice President, Chizoba Ogbeche, and attended by the Zonal Secretary, Juliana Ofoku; Zone D Trustee, Annah Daniel; the NAWOJ National Treasurer, Fatima Rasheed; Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Trustee, Zone D, Hadizah Umar, as well as Chairpersons and Secretaries of State Chapters of the Zone,
the women journalists white acknowledging the Federal and State Governments’ efforts to curb insecurity, called for more proactive measures, including surveillance and effective policing, timely arrests, and the judicious prosecution of perpetrators to serve as deterrent.
The zone also noted that protection of lives and property must remain a top priority at all levels of government and urged the Government and media to stop underplaying the extent of damage caused by these attacks.
They appealed to the Federal Government to initiate programmes aimed at alleviating poverty, noting that poverty adversely affects women. The women Journalists also said that such programmes would engage the teeming youth population through employment opportunities and, in turn, enhance national security.
Lamenting the deplorable state of roads and highways across the country and their impact on motorists and commuters, NAWOJ Zone D urged both State and Federal Governments to address this concern to enhance trade, boost productivity, and reduce road carnage.
The council commiserated with the Government and people of Niger State over the recent tanker explosion that claimed many lives while calling on emergency agencies to be more proactive in such situations and advocate for robust public awareness campaigns against scooping fuel from accident scenes.
NAWOJ congratulated the new INEC Chairman on his appointment and urged him to fulfil his promises and ensure peaceful, transparent, credible, and elections in 2027. The association also called for active participation of women in politics and support from all stakeholders, especially the passage of the Special Seats For Women Bill pending at the National Assembly.
While commending the National Assembly on the ongoing electoral reforms which they were optimistic would reduce voter apathy, the Zone D NAWOJ leadership appealed to political aspirants to focus on issue-based politics and governance rather than the election process itself. Furthermore,the association also applauded the National Assembly’s decision that elected officials who defect from their political parties should vacate their positions.
The leaders of the Zone observed a minute silence for the repose of the soul of former Chairperson, NAWOJ FCT Chapter, Comrade Stella Okoh-Esene, and other departed members of the zone, even as they urge women journalists to pay attention to their health despite their tight schedules.
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