BY EVELYN DADU, ABUJA – The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) on Friday took a critical look at the #ENDSARS protests nationwide and therefore stressed the need for government at all levels to give governance a human face, an approach capable of redeeming the seemingly hopeless situation.
This is just as the Women Journalists note that this is not the best of times for Nigerians as a people with common destiny and commonwealth, to sit aloof.
It said it is more of an opportunity for all of as a united and sovereign nation to take decisive actions and appropriate steps individually and collectively at all levels to preserve our national interest and the unity of Nigeria.
NAWOJ which stated this while condoling and sympathizing with the families of young Nigerians, who lost their lives in the struggle to demand for a better Nigeria and improved quality of life for the people as well as those whose property were destroyed in the process of the #EndSARS protests and its aftermath violence in some parts of the country, said it acknowledged the numerous development challenges affecting the people.
These were contained in a statement issued by its National President, Ifeyinwa Omowole and National Secretary, Ladi Bala in which they also appealed to the Federal Government to consider media organisations and journalists affected by the turn of events while in the line of duty, for compensation.
NAWOJ said; “Journalism is not a crime and people whether aggrieved or supporting a course in any situation must understand that the journalist is always a neutral critical stakeholder in finding lasting solution to disputes.
“As professionals and mothers, we passionately appeal for calm and respect for constituted authority in registering our dissatisfaction”.
NAWOJ applauded the institution of a panel to investigate the Lekki toll gate shooting allegedly involving the military, saying that it believes it is with the aim of unraveling the truth and meting out appropriate sanctions to any officer, who is found culpable in the shooting.
The Women Journalists further states; “Let us all be advocates of peace, tolerance and love. Dialogue is the most potent weapon of resolving disputes and crisis anywhere in the world. Let us embrace it by giving peace a chance”.
