BY OLUWATOSIN IGHOTEGUONO
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ has advocated upward review of salaries of media practitioners in the country following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The National President of NAWOJ, Mrs Ladi Bala made the call at the National Thanksgiving Service of the association held at the Christ the King Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Apo, Abuja.
some NAWOJ Members
The thanksgiving service was to appreciate God for the achievements of NAWOJ in its thirty three years of existence, especially the provision of a landed property for its National Secretariat in Abuja.
A cross section of dignitaries at the event
Mrs Bala said increase in salaries of media professionals was necessary to enable them meet other needs as substantial part of their current take- home now goes for fuel and transportation.
The NAWOJ President called on government at all levels to place priority on good governance to reduce the poverty rate in the country.
Ondo NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs Tola Gbadamosi
In a sermon at the service, the pastor in charge of the RCCG, King Parish, Apo Abuja, Olusegun Rotimi admonished Nigerians to keep faith in God even with the current economic situation in the country.
The immediate past Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen who commended the journalists for their watchdog role urged them not to relent in putting governments on their toes.
Also speaking, the country director of Action Aid Nigeria, Ms Ene Obi called on Presidential Bola Tinubu to consider more women for appointments in his administration and to also explore dialogue rather than military action in resolving the political crisis rocking Niger Republic.
She said “The way Niger citizens are accepting the coup plot means that something is wrong and military option is not the best, ECOWAS should engage them in dialogue and not sending miltary troops”.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, the Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria, Ms Ene Obi, former NAWOJ president, veteran journalist, Mrs Moji Makanjuola, among other personalities who have contributed immensely to women development in the country.
The Thanksgiving service was attended by state executive council officers of NAWOJ across the country including Ondo Chairperson, Mrs Tola Gbadamosi and Secretary, Mrs Oluwatosin Ighoteguono.