By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, has described as horrible the death of Precious
Owolabi, a corps member serving with Channels TV, who was amongst those killed in a clash between members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the police in Abuja on Monday.
The NUJ in a statement Monday night stated that Owolabi’s death marks a sad chapter in journalism profession in Nigeria.
“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,” said Emmanuel Ogbeche, chairman of the NUJ FCT Council
According to Ogbeche, 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 expressed condolence to Channels TV, Owolabi’ employer and his family.
