By Mercy Obojeghren
National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole has charged journalists to refrain from religious extremism in their reportage in the interest of national unity and professionalism.
Omowole made the call in Asaba during a two-day training workshop on ”Gender Equality, Safety and Sensitive Reportage” organised by NAWOJ in collaboration with Norwegians Union of Journalists in Asaba for female and some selected male journalists.
The NAWOJ president, who noted that religious extremism posed a serious threat to the peaceful coexistence and security of Nigerians, said that journalists needed to reflect the preaching of love and unity in their reportage.
” If every Nigerian has my kind of open mindedness, there will be no problem Boko Haram, there will be no bandits and there will be no religious extremism,” she said.
Omowole who stressed the need for unity and collaboration among journalists, advised those who indulged in ” pull him/her down ” syndrome to desist from it.
She expressed joy that God has been good to her, that come November, she would be thanking God for His protection and guidance over her life.
According to her, “I am the first Deltan to be President of NAWOJ, and I am the first to do a second tenure in office.
I celebrated the 25th Anniversary of NAWOJ and God also gave me the grace to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the association.”
Omowole also admonished the participants to make good use of the workshop to enhance their reportage of gender based events or happenings.
Declaring the workshop open, the Delta Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Flora Alatan restated the readiness of her Ministry to partner with NAWOJ in issues affecting women and children especially girl child.
Alatan, who was represented by the Director Women Affairs in the Ministry, Mrs Faith Okpohwurho, said that the state government was according priority to girl child education and women empowerment.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Michael Ikeogwu said, It was very important for his colleagues to be trained along this line of gender issue.
” I believe that since the commencement of the workshop, we have benefited one thing or the other.” Ikeogwu said.