The chairperson of Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo state chapter, Comrade Jadesola Ajibola, has advocated that journalists in Nigeria should henceforth be considered as frontline workers during emergency periods.
Comrade Ajibola stated this while speaking at a one-day capacity building facilitated by Oyo NAWOJ in collaboration with Oyo state Emergency Operations Centre in Ibadan and World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Oyo NAWOJ chairperson said the time has come for
all the tiers of government, the security agencies and development partners to at all times recognise journalists as frontline workers during emergencies.
Comrade Ajibola stated that there is no doubt in the fact that journalists play important roles in time of emergencies as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, cholera, wars and crises just like other professionals like the medical workers and security agents.
The Oyo NAWOJ chairperson said journalists should be given incentives like other professionals because they too played significant roles, especially during the heat of COVID-19.
“We need to recognise journalists as frontline workers during emergencies. Journalists should be seen and addressed as frontline workers and should be given hazard allowances,” she said.
Comrade Ajibola added, “We report and do a lot of sacrifices and work during the COVID-19 period just like health workers and other professionals.”
