Monday 3 February 2014

Journalists mourn death of Obadina, urges Fashola to step up on security


This is a release sent to me by the NUJ after Newswatch Deputy Editor Toyin Obadina was shot by suspected armed robbers over the weekend

Press Release
The national secretariat and the Lagos state council of the NUJ have in seperate statements condemned the gruesome murder of Toyin Obadina.
In a statement issued by its National Secretary, Comrade Shuaib Usman Leman, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the shooting of Obadina, by armed robbers, leading to his death, "was another sad reminder of the vulnerability of media professionals and this further heightens our concern for the safety of journalists". Obadina was shot and fatally wounded by armed robbers last Friday night in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
(more after the cut)


"While the NUJ condemns the continued killing of journalists in the country, it is no doubt that Obadina and many other journalists died because the Nigerian system over the years had failed to protect its citizens.
"The death has yet again deprived the media of one of its illustrious journalists and it is very important to call on the Federal Government to take measures for effective protection of journalists because journalists, as the conscience of the nation cannot be subjected to constant fear and intimation by such impunity.
"While we condole with the media family, we pray to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss", the statement read.
Also, the Chairman of Lagos NUJ, Deji Elumoye tasked the state government to live up to expectation, wondering what is happening to the billions of Naira that has been saved into the state Security Trust Fund.
While appreciating the Babatunde Fashola regime for his steadfastness against crime, Elumoye said there is need to do more in terms of security of lives and property.
"It seems they have gone to sleep, criminals have gradually found their way back into the state. And I wonder what they are doing with billions of naira put in the Security Trust Fund", Elumoye said.
He also commiserated with Newswatch and Obadina's family, while praying for the repose of the soul of the dead.
Lagos state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, also took a swipe at the Nigeria Police for the security lapse in Lagos state in recent times.
Elumoye and Secretary , Sylva Okereke expressed concern about the level of insecurity of lives and property in Lagos metropolis 
According to the union , of recent there has been cases of criminal activities like armed robbery in various parts of Lagos "and its high time the security network woke up to its responsibility"
"To this end , the state commissioner of police should step up 24-hour patrol of the highways and streets in Lagos metropolis and by doing so we believe criminal activities will be curbed
"Other security outfits like Civil Defence Corps can also complement the activities of the Police as the state government through its Security Trust Fund has provided the financial backbone for the total security overall of Lagos"
While praying for the repose of the soul of the front line journalist , Lagos NUJ reiterated its call on employers of journalists to insure the lives of all journalists in their employ"because of the nature of job we do and the hazards associated with the pen profession"

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