The Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, has expressed deep sadness over the death of a promising journalist, Precious Owolabi, on Monday, July 22, 2019.
Owolabi, a corps member serving with Channels TV, was among those killed in a clash between members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the police in Abuja.
The NUJ in a statement by its chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche, described his death as one too many; stressing that it was another sad day for the journalism profession in Nigeria.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to take responsibility for Owolabi’s death as the primary purpose of government is welfare and security of citizens.
“The death of Precious Owolabi signifies how brutish and short life has become in Nigeria and signposts the danger faced by journalists daily in carrying out the constitutional mandate of holding government and its officials accountable to Nigerians,” the NUJ said in the statement.
“The federal government should take responsibility for the senseless death of Owolabi as it was its constitutional duty to safeguard his welfare and security as well as those of other Nigerians.”
He called on the federal government to demonstrate its seriousness in addressing the pervading insecurity by finding an amicable resolution to the grievances of the IMN to avoid further needless deaths in the country.
The NUJ chairman said that while death was inevitable, journalists should always take into account the environment they were reporting from and not become the ‘story.’
Ogbeche expressed the hope that the government will compensate the family of the deceased who was on a national assignment.
The NUJ prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest while condoling with his family, Channels TV, and journalists in general.
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