Rakiya A. Muhammad
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has decried the increasing wave of ritual killings and harvesting of body parts across the country and urged all to contribute their quota towards tackling the menace.
NAWOJ also observed with dismay the rise in drug abuse and thuggery among the youth and emphasised the need to prioritise youth empowerment and sensitisation at various levels to stop the negative trend.
These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria.
The communique signed by NAWOJ National Secretary Helen Udofa urged governments at all levels and other stakeholders to ensure safe space for learning, bearing in mind the recent Sylvester Oromoni in Lagos, Hanifa Abubakar in Kano, among others across Nigeria.
With barely a year to the general elections in the country, the association made a case for more women’s participation in the forthcoming general elections in the country. It encouraged those eligible to ensure they register to exercise their civic responsibility.
It noted the high cost of living in the country and advised the government to implement measures for price control.
NAWOJ urged relevant authorities to regulate the operations of orphanages nationwide to check trafficking in persons.