NAWOJ Tasks Govt, Firms On Female Journalists Training

The Rivers State
chapter of the  Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on government,  multinationals and media organisations to make training  of female journalists there priority  for a balanced practice of the journalism profession.
The State Chairman of the association, Mrs. Lilian Okonkwo made the call during a chat with The Tide’s Women’s Desk in Port Harcourt recently.
Okonkwo who decried  the attitudes of organisations  towards  the female journalist interms of professional standing said however that it has become imperative that these attitudes be  changed and the female journalist given quality training.
According to her ‘there’s always this gap when it comes to professional jobs. Women  journalists  are mostly given stereotyped beats such gaps should be abridged because these women are equally as intelligent as the male journalists. And this can be achieved on a properly trained platform, government multinational like the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Agip and infact,  media organisation should as a matter of necessity go for the training of these female journalists to among other things boost their organizations and the female’s professional career.
Okonkwo  however noted with  dismay the laxity  habited  by most female  journalists in the discharge of the professional duties. She said “it is unfortunate though that some of these female journalists  do not  have what it takes to  own even e-mail address  in this  modern times of information  technology. The knowledge of information and communication technology. The knowledge of information and communication technology (ICT) makes  the job  a lot  easier and so the call is important so as to help these journalists meet up with modern practice of the profession particularly for those of where in Rivers State. We need upgrading, we need to be abreast with technology because  Rivers NAWOJ has come of age.
The chairman of the Rivers State chapter of NAWOJ further called on the government both at the federal  and state levels to create an enabling environment for the women to participate actively in the nation’s politics.
“This is political times. Even though our society is characterised by male  domineerism   where the man is already balanced, we are saying that they should give us a chance.
Politically, we are not into tuggery, violence and the likes. The men use these things against us and their violence makes us to retreat. Let’s operate on a level-playing ground and they will see that we  have what it takes”.
Okonkwo therefore urged women  journalists especially in the state to come out of their shelves  and make impact in the states and nation’s  politics as well  as leaving legacies footprint  in the sands of times.

Lady Godknows Ogbulu

Cross section of (NAWOJ) members at a function in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga