Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council and Presidential candidate of the body, Comrade Wahaab Alabi Oba has condemned in strong terms, the unwarranted and brutal assault on journalists assigned to cover the stalemated governorship election re-run in Ekiti State.
Specifically, he said, “the assault, attack, molestation and harassment of innocent journalists who were merely carrying out their constitutional duties as watchmen of their society is to say the least, barbaric, inhuman and unfortunate in this age and time when all nations are embracing civilized cultures and behaviours”.
Adding that those who masterminded this act are enemies of the society.
The Council Chairman who made this known in Lagos yesterday, while briefing reporters said no effort should be speared in bringing to book those who may have perpetrated this heinous crime against the journalism profession.
He advised that Nigerian journalists should remain steadfast and undaunted in their pursuit of professional excellence in the bid to make Nigeria a better place.
Besides, Oba enjoins media proprietors to show more interest in the welfare of media practitioners as they represent the foot soldiers that contribute to their fortunes and unfortunately, sometimes, made to suffer fatal fate in circumstances like the recent experience.
It was his views that “if journalists are well remunerated and well secured through comprehensive insurance scheme by their employers an incident like the Ekiti attack would have minimum impact on them”, stating that the Ekiti re-run assault on journalists is indeed a food for thought for media owners who have not put in place comprehensive welfare package for their employees.
However, he enjoins media practitioners to continue to maintain high ethical standard and practices so that at the end of the day they shall be vindicated as it has been since the colonial era.
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