Coronavirus: Nigerian women journalists urge government to roll out palliative measures

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)  on Sunday called for palliative measures for women, children and the vulnerable, as the country keeps recording new cases of coronavirus (COVID -19) on a daily basis .

Penpushing reports that, the National Secretariat of the association made the appeal in a statement jointly signed by its President, Ifeyinwa Omowole and Ladi Bala(Secretary) respectively, stressing that of particular note is the Lagos State government, which has the highest number of patients, who tested positive..

The body, however  praised  the proactive response of Federal and State governments in containing the spread of the virus, and while supporting the lockdown  and restriction of movement of persons as well as other precautionary measures taken by states across the country, noted that  the low economic power and high level of poverty among Nigerians especially women calls for concern.

‘The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists being the mirror of the  society, wonders how the millions of poor Nigerians , who rely on daily paid jobs and petty trading to  survive will cope in the event of total lockdown in fighting the spread of COVID-19’,the statement said .

‘NAWOJ, therefore, calls on the Federal and state governments to roll out an economic palliative plan to  cater for citizens especially in the  provision of basic consumables such as food items and other essentials to ease the difficulty they may face for an effective fight against the pandemic’.

‘The National secretariat specially commends the Lagos State Government for taking the lead by rolling out economic stimulus plan for residents, a feat worthy of emulation by other states’, the statement pointed out.

Penpushing further reports that, the women journalists , appealed  for special consideration for women and the vulnerable especially the elderly in delivering these palliatives to citizens, pointing out that, this is a trying moment in the nation’s history, which requires collective response of all citizens to get through.

‘There is no better time for Nigerian politicians to rally round their electorate than now. NAWOJ further appeals to Nigerians especially women and children to be socially responsible by  adhering to preventive measures as prescribed by the health authorities’.