By Segun Oyenibi
A Non-Governmental Organization Participation for Behavioral Change in Development, (PIBCID) has begin partnership, with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) to end all forms of violence against Women and the Girl Child in Kogi State.
The Executive Director, of PIBCID Rachael Remileku Akande who led members of his team for an advocacy visit to the leadership of the NUJ in Kogi State on Thursday in Lokoja said the organization is seeking the full support of journalists for its upcoming programme titled “Strengthening Communities’ Women Institutions/Platforms for the Protection and Promotion of Women/Girl Child Rights in Ending Violence in Kogi State.
Akande disclosed that, PIBCID remains committed to promoting gender equality, protecting women and girls’ rights, and ending violence against women in the society.
” Our project in Kogi State aims to empower women and girls by strengthening local women institutions and platforms to effectively address issues related to gender-based violence and promote the rights of women and the girl child.
” In this phase of the project, we shall be targeting three communities within Igalamela and Adavi LGAs of Kogi State. We believe that the media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, raising awareness, and advocating for social change.
“As members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, you have the power to amplify our message and bring attention to the importance of protecting women and girls from violence and discrimination.
We request your assistance in raising awareness about our project and the issues it addresses through news coverage, features, and interviews in your media outlets”
” We encourage you to use your platform to educate the public about women and girls’ rights, gender-based violence, and the importance of community involvement in addressing these issues.
“We are appealing to members of the union to join us in organizing awareness campaigns, mentorship, workshops, and events to engage the community and, promote women’s empowerment.
“By working together, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for women and girls in Kogi State. Your support is invaluable in advancing our mission to end violence against women and promote gender equality.
“We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with NUJ and leverage the power of the media to drive positive change in our communities. Together, we can make a difference and create a more equitable society for all.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees PIBCID Usman Ahmed, commended journalists in Kogi State for giving the organization all the needed publicity in the last few years.
‘I must commend journalists in Kogi State for their wide publicity of our activities in Kogi State. We need all your support so that what we did in the past, we will do more for the people of Kogi State. We want you to carry our coverage to the highest point. Journalists are the live wire of any society. No organization can succeed without carrying journalists along” he added.
Responding, the Kogi State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists Alhaji Seidu Ademu journalists will not relent in keying into any program that will protect the rights of Women, Children, including the boy and Girl Child in the State.
While noting that the campaign is coming at a better time when the rights of Women and the Girl Child have been threatened in the society,
Alhaji Ademu promised that, the association will give a wide coverage of the activities of PIBCID in Kogi State.
“Members of NUJ Kogi are very proactive in activities that will help better our society. This is one of them. It is our collective effort to preserve the rights and end violence against Women, and the Girl Child in our society. PIBCID should be reassured that we are in this together in achieving this laudable project” he stated.
Also speaking, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) Stella Edoka who was represented by the association Secretary Ibikunle Fumilayo said female journalists is fully committed to the project.
Edoka commended PIBCID for their immense impacts in the lives of the people in Kogi State stressing that, this project is a step in it right direction for a better and responsive society.
On his part, the Chairperson, Kogi NGO Network, Amb. Idris Muraina Ozovehe asserted that, they remain committed in creating an enabling environment for Civil Society to engage stakeholders for the best interest of the people in Kogi State
His words”PIBCID is a house hold name in Kogi State through the action aide project. They have touched many lives. We observe that there was internal crisis in PIBCID which the board Chairmen acknowledged here that it has been resolved. I must appreciate the media and other critical stakeholders for the role they played in ensuring that the organization comes back better. Here in Kogi, you can gain the trust of the media. We will continue to partner with the media to serve the State better”.
