By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D, has called on government and security agencies to address the growing insecurity and humanitarian challenges plaguing the North Central region of the country.
The Vice President of the Zone, Chizoba Ogbeche, made this call during the Association’s bi-monthly zonal meeting.
The meeting, which brought together the Zonal Secretary, Juliana Ofoku; Zone D Board of Trustees member, Annah Daniel; Ex-officio member, Anne Olurinde; and chairpersons and secretaries of the state chapters within the Zone, centered on deliberations concerning the safety of citizens, the plight of women and children in conflict zones, and broader issues affecting the region.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the association expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation across the North Central states, particularly in Benue and Plateau, where recurring attacks have led to loss of lives, displacement of families, and deepening humanitarian crises. NAWOJ called on the six state governments in the Zone, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts in ensuring proactive policing, swift arrests, and prompt prosecution of perpetrators of violence to serve as a deterrent to others.
The protection of lives and property must remain a top priority of government at all levels,” the communiqué read, adding that the Federal Government must do more to equip security forces with modern weapons, surveillance technologies, and the logistical support necessary to match and counter the firepower of insurgents and other non-state actors operating in the region.
The Zone further expressed profound appreciation to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her compassionate response and generous donation toward the rehabilitation of victims of violent attacks in Benue and Plateau States. The women journalists appealed to the state governments to ensure that the First Lady’s donation and other relief funds are disbursed transparently and efficiently, reaching only the real victims and affected communities.
NAWOJ also raised an alarm over the long-term impact of the ongoing crisis on the education of displaced children, many of whom have had their learning disrupted due to the attacks and forced displacements. The association urged the Wife of the President and First Ladies of the affected states to prioritize the education of these children and ensure their re-integration into the school system to prevent them from joining the already worrisome number of out-of-school children in the country. They stressed that empowering women must go hand-in-hand with protecting the future of the children.
