By Rhoda Olorunfemi

President of Journalists for Christ (JFC) Mr  Lekan Otufodunrin has urged journalists to be their sisters’ keepers while on duty.

Otufodunrin who  made the call on Saturday at the monthly fellowship of the organisation  noted  that women are not well represented in the industry at various levels.

He disclosed  that a  research by the JFC to mark the International Women’s Day revealed that very few women occupy top managerial positions.

Using 2 Timothy 1: 1-5 as the text for the month, Otufodunrin stressed that journalists should check on one another in the news rooms if they notice any strange or cold reaction from any fellow journalist, even as everyone is working to meet up with deadlines.

Being one sister’s keeper according to Otufodunrin  also means taking bold steps to correct female colleagues  even if they may not like it .

“ As a journalist who was wants to be her sister’s keeper, sometimes there is the need to  go out of one’s  way to share experience with fellow journalists. Find answers to questions that one may not really have answers to at the moment,” he said.   

Mrs. Funmi Falobi,  editor of Social Development News  said there is need for senior female journalists to mentor and encourage  the younger ones.

She however  noted that some female journalists are not ready to take up responsibilities, hence, giving room to gossips among themselves; unlike men who knows how to groom themselves.

Dotun Akintomide, Editor of  The New Diplomat, said, being ones sister’s keeper requires being by senior colleagues, while the younger ones should also be willing to be mentored.

In her own contribution,  Mrs Oyeyemi Gbenga- Mustapha  said female journalists must be able to  multi-task and be focused  on what they want to achieve  in journalism, adding that they must also  be patient and ready to overcome whatever challenge the encounter.

A Counsellor, Mrs. Ronke Otufodunrin  advised journalists to pray for themselves as led by the Holy Spirit, as this could go along way to help.

She said they should encourage and check on one another, have the right mindset towards one another and  develop themselves on the job.

Pastor David Odunayo said young girls should be encouraged to become journalists  to ensure achieve  the balance for better theme of the month of March.

He also said the media has to be deliberate about  giving  female journalists the opportunity to compete with their male colleagues..