Kidnapping of Nigerian School Girls: NAWOJ Condemns Increased Insecurity
… Urge Governments To Prioritise Safety, Improve Road Infrastructure….
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ has strongly condemned the increasing wave of insecurity across the country, particularly the recent killings and abduction of citizens in Kwara State, the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and Niger State, and the rising cases of child kidnapping and the rape of minors, including young boys and women in the northern region of the Country.
The Association made this known at its National Executive Council NEC meeting which include National officers, State Chapter Chairpersons and Secretaries, as well as Zonal officers, held at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, Owerri, Imo State.
The meeting, chaired by the National Chairperson, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim K. Bura, with the theme “Amplifying Change: The Media, Legislation, and the Advancement of Women,” in its communiqué on the state of the nation, viewed the insecurity incidents as grave threats to national safety and called on security agencies and relevant authorities to act swiftly, intensify intelligence operations, ensure the immediate rescue of victims, and bring perpetrators to justice without delay.
NAWOJ reaffirmed its solidarity stands with mothers and families whose children have been abducted, harmed, or traumatized or even killed by these heinous crimes. The association insists that every Nigerian child deserves full protection and dignity.
The female journalists association expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of Nigeria’s major highways, where insecurity and poor road infrastructure have combined to endanger the lives of citizens, while noting that many major roads across the country have become *death traps*, worsening travel time and exposing commuters – especially women, to heightened risks of robbery, kidnapping, and fatal accidents, the deplorable state of the roads contributing to economic hardship, which hinders emergency response, and undermines national cohesion.
NAWOJ NEC called on the Federal and State Governments, and relevant agencies to prioritise protection of its citizens, and to urgently rehabilitate and reconstruct major roads, strengthen highway security patrols, deploy surveillance technology, and ensure safer mobility for Nigerians.
NAWOJ under the leadership of its national Chairperson Comrade Aisha Ibrahim K Bura expressed gratitude to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma for graciously hosting women journalists from the 36 states and the FCT, and for the warm hospitality extended throughout the meeting.
While commending the numerous ongoing infrastructural projects by the Uzodimma-led administration, it pledges NAWOJ partnership in projecting the state’s developmental milestones.
The association also expressed its view on “Her Seat in Parliament” campaign project carried out by NAWOJ in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), and also reviewed other key issues affecting Nigeria, and the activities, programmes, challenges and achievements of NAWOJ, and after comprehensive deliberations, and charged its members to serve as catalysts for effective leadership and advancing the rights of women, equality, equity and inclusion in governance.
NAWOJ appreciated the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, and his delegation to NAWOJ NEC for their steadfast solidarity, and reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the NUJ and other media stakeholders, as it pledges to jointly pursue initiatives aimed at elevating professional standards, promoting ethical journalism, and amplifying the leadership and impact of women journalists nationwide.
Dignitaries at the opening ceremony at the NAWOJ NEC held in Owerri include: the Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the wife of the Governor of Imo State Barr. Chioma Uzodinma, the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, the Clerk and Head of the Service, Imo State House of Assembly, Chinelo Emeghara Esq., NUJ Deputy National President, Dr Abimbola Oyetunde, and the National President, League of Women Voters, Mrs Irene Awunah, among others.