The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has described the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving with Channels Television, Precious Owolabi, as one too many.
Owolabi, a reporter with Channels Television was amongst those caught in the cross fire between members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Police and was killed in the clash on Monday.
The NUJ, in a statement on Monday night by the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, expressed deep sadness over Owolabi’s death, stressing that it was another sad day for the journalism profession in Nigeria.
NUJ further states; “The death of Precious Owolabi signifies how brutish and short life has become in Nigeria and signposts the danger faced by journalists daily in carrying out their constitutional mandate of holding government and its officials accountable to Nigerians.
Ogbeche urged the Federal Government to take responsibility for the senseless death of Owolabi as it was its constitutional duty to safeguard his welfare and security as well as those of other Nigerians.
The NUJ Chairman also challenged the Federal Government to demonstrate its seriousness in addressing the pervading insecurity in the country by finding an amicable resolution to the grievances of the IMN to avoid further needless deaths in the country.
Ogbeche said while death is inevitable, it is however important for journalists to always take into consideration the environment they are reporting from and not become the ‘story.’
The NUJ Council Chairman expressed the hope that the Federal Government will compensate the family of Owolabi, who was on a national assignment and prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest while condoling with his family, Channels Television and journalists in general.
