The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ),on Thursday advocated for equal access to opportunity to women achieve equity and gender balance in the society.
Mrs Ladi Bala, National President of NAWOJ made the call in her opening
remarks at a 3-day workshop on Gender-Sensitive reporting for female
journalists in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.
The NAWOJ President noted that female journalists were often exposed to
danger and intimidated in the cause of carrying out their lawful duties of
rendering an accurate account of happenings in society.
She explained that the association has prioritised the capacity
enhancement of its members to equip them to perform the duties more effectively
to enthrone a better Nigeria.
Bala said that NAWOJ remains committed to a peaceful and prosperous
Nigeria built on the principle of equity and fairness to all citizens and
advocated for the improvement in the security architecture in the county.
She applauded the federal government for the appointment of new service
chiefs in response to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians adding that
women journalists have embarked on prayer sessions to tackle the security
challenges facing the country.
“We are committed to a peaceful and united country. We cannot even
contemplate another war because it will simply destabilise the entire African
continent, we already have internally displaced persons amongst us, so where do
we go ?
“We have in addition to mounting pressures of the federal government
called our members to embark on prayers and we are impressed at the efforts by
the federal government in addressing the security challenges and we are hopeful
that God is answering our prayers,”,Bala said.
In her welcome remarks, Mrs Maria Olodi-Osuma, Chairperson of Bayelsa
chapter of NAWOJ commended the national executive of the association for
prioritising training of female journalists in Bayelsa.
She urged the participants to avail themselves of the opportunities
presented by the workshop to improve their skills and competencies.
Also speaking, Mrs Jane Yaweh, Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa Ministry of
Information advised female journalists to take their motherly roles seriously
and embrace humility to ensure peace and stability in their families as well as
involve God in the work.
She said that her experience had shown that humility and Godliness pays
off in the long run.
In his remarks at theworkshop, Mr Emeka Okpalla, General Manager,
Nigerian Television Authority, Yenagoa urged women journalists to change the
attitude of most women who often brought disrepute to the female gender.
“I am a firm believer in the capacity of women and we have several good
examples like Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Margaret Ekpo, Prof Dora Akunyili but
these examples remain in the minoeity .
“I urge you women journalists to use your profession to get majority of
women to emulate these shining examples because the country would be a better
place if we have good women in strategic places,” Okpala said.
Also speaking, Mr Samuel Numonengi, Chairman of Bayelsa Council of
Nigeria Union of Journalists commended the association for training which he
described as fundamental to journalism practice.
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