The group urged the president to “face extremists as a combat soldier and not as a politician.”
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos chapter, on Saturday advised President Goodluck Jonathan to take a firm stand against Boko Haram and not grant its members amnesty.
The association gave the advice on Saturday in Lagos during its monthly congress, noting that the situation under which late President Umar Yar’Adua granted amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta was markedly different from what the nation faces now.
“President Jonathan should face them as a combat soldier and not as a politician,” a member of the group, Bimbo Oyetunde, said.
The body also raised alarm over the rising cases of rape and high cost of living in the country.
The association appealed to the Federal Government to beef up security across the country and particularly in Lagos.
Queen Ugeh of the Federal Radio Corporation Nigeria (FRCN) said that reports showed an escalation in cases of gang rape and killing of women in Lagos which required attention of security agencies.
Ms. Ugeh said that in such incidents, the valuables of the victims were not taken by their assailants which showed that they were not cases of robbery.
Other members also condemned the rising cases of rape of minors and noted that victims were usually not bold to come out because of stigmatization.
The congress advised mothers to educate their daughters on strategies to keep them safe and from harm’s way.
Dupe Olaoye-Oshinkolu, chairman of the association, said that a programme would be organized by the body to create awareness on the rising incidence of rape.
“We need to organize a special programme to sensitize mothers and the society about rape,” she said.
Ms. Olaoye -Oshinkolu said that though the association was in the process of electing a new executive, it would nevertheless make the programme a priority.
During the meeting, Osas Ogbonmwan of the Source Magazine said that there had been an increase in the prices of food stuff.
“The last time I bought Gari, a paint measure was sold at N350 but I was surprised that the same measure now goes for N550,” she said. “And it is alarming that Rice rose from N7, 500 to N12, 500 a bag.”
Earlier, a five member electoral committee was constituted to organize election to fill the seven positions that would become vacant by May 5.
(NAN)
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