………as Association decries increasing cases of rape in the country…..
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) MEETING OF THE NIGERIA ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN JOURNALISTS (NAWOJ), HELD IN LiS HOTELS AND SUITES, ILORIN, KWARA STATE ON OCTOBER 20 2022.*
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) held its meeting at LIS Hotels and Suites in Ilorin, Kwara State on 20th October, 2022.
The NEC meeting, presided over by the National President of NAWOJ, Comrade Ladi Bala, had as its theme: “The Electoral Process: Safety and Responsibilities of Journalists”.
The meeting, which was declared open by the Kwara State governor, His Excellency, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, represented by the State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Olabode George Towoju (OGT), extensively discussed issues concerning the Association and the state of the nation, after which it resolved as follows:
1. That States that are yet to domesticate the VAPP law should do so, to checkmate indecent dressing, while states that have domesticated the VAPP Law should ensure full implementation.
2. The NEC in session expressed worries over deplorable state of the roads across the nation and called on governments at all levels to, as a matter of urgency, rehabilitate roads in their domains so as to put them in good condition for the users’ safety. It called on government to also ensure the resuscitation of rail transport to reduce the pressure on Nigeria roads.
3. The NEC called on parents to guide their children against involvement in thuggery especially before, during and after the 2023 general elections. NAWOJ called on registered voters to endeavour to collect their PVCs so that they could exercise their franchise in the forthcoming general elections.
4. It charged parents to ensure equal attention in the bringing up of both the girl and boy child and cautioned youths against drug abuse and cultism.
5. NEC in session decried the alarming rate of rape cases especially involving minors and called for the full implementation of the laws against such acts and ensure justice for survivors. It urged parents to be guided on how to handle rape cases to avoid psychological trauma.
6. The NEC equally tasked all security agencies to re-strategize and put all necessary modalities in place to nip insecurity in the country in the bud.
7. Following the increasing cost of domestic gas, kerosene and other essential commodities, the NEC in session called on the Federal Government to put in place measures that will help cushion the effects of high cost of living in the country.
7. NAWOJ challenged women to encourage and support one another.
8. In conclusion, the NEC in session passionately appealed to female journalists to take care of their mental health due to the peculiar nature of the Journalism profession.
NAWOJ commended the governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and other co-sponsors of the NEC Meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, for the wonderful and successful hosting.
The Communiqué Drafting Committee had the Chairperson of Osun State chapter of NAWOJ, Motunrayo Ayegbayo as Chairman; Chairperson of Delta State NAWOJ, Sonia Unobunjo as Secretary; Chairperson of Sokoto State NAWOJ, Rakiya Muhammad and the Chairperson of Benue State NAWOJ, Elizabeth Achagh as members.
*Helen Udofa*
National Secretary