The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter has unanimously expressed dissatisfaction over the poor remuneration and non-payment in some cases of media practitioners in the face of the rising cost of living in Nigeria and made case for salary review and possibly a unified salary structure for media practitioners to boost the morale of journalists and appreciate the sacrifices they are making in service to their fatherland.
According to a press release signed by the NAWOJ FCT Chapter Chairperson, Comrade Annah Daniel and Assistant Secretary, Comrade Gloria Josiah at the end of its August Congress held on Saturday, 13th August 2022, at NUJ FCT Council Secretariat, Utako, Abuja, the Congress in session, also expressed worry over the prolonged industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), calling on the government to be proactive in its effort to resolve the issues.
The women journalists decried the fact that the long stay at home has made the teeming undergraduates idle and vulnerable for use negatively by political actors as the 2023 general election draws near.
The communiqué read, “The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, during her Congress discussed developments within the Association and the country as a whole.
“Congress in session condemned in strong terms the cyberbullying and harassment of journalists, especially female journalists, as they discharge their duties.
“The women journalists tasked the police and other security agencies to ensure that the full weight of the law is brought on people harassing journalists and cyberbullies as enshrined in the constitution to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The Association also observed the overheating of the political space by politicians and their supporters, especially on social media platforms, and sued for tolerance among them.
“Congress in session also frowned at the spate of insecurity in most parts of the country, which left farmers scared of going to their farms for fear of being attacked by bandits.
“This, they observed was the primary cause of the hike in prices of essential food items and tasked the government to put measures in place to protect farmers and cushion the effects of inflation in the country.
“NAWOJ FCT Chapter also congratulated the Nigeria Team in the just concluded Common Wealth Games, most especially the female delegates who won many medals and made Nigeria proud as good ambassadors and portrayed the country in good light.
“The Women Journalists also lamented over the high rate of indecent dressing among youths and called on parents especially mothers to monitor what their children wear in the public space, the statement concluded.
