The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, wants governments to provide a health insurance scheme for its members in order to mitigate health-related risks in the course of discharging their duties.
The National President of the Union, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, stated this at the 35th anniversary celebrations of the Anambra State Council of the union.
Yahya also called for a better welfare package and improved remuneration for journalists.
Journalists who are generally regarded as the watchdog of the society and the Fourth Estate of the Realm, an indication of their sensitive and crucial position in societal development, were again reminded of their roles in sustaining Nigeria’s democratic values and to serve as agents of accountability.
At the event in Awka, practicing Journalists were told to continue to hold public office holders accountable through excellent, truthful and factual reportage.
Members of the union were further urged to embrace evolving technological advancements in reporting, while appeals went to Governments at all levels and the corporate world to prioritise a health insurance scheme for media practitioners.
Delivering the keynote at the event, Bishop Okechukwu Ikeakor, who spoke on the theme: “Anambra State NUJ, 35 Years of Reporting with Truth, Responsibility and Service”, challenged members on investigative, truthful and factual journalism, which according to him should be devoid of gratifications.
The Anambra State Chairman of the NUJ, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, while commending members for their steadfastness, recounted some of the challenges facing the Union in the State.
The event attracted National and Zonal Executives Committee members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, practicing journalists, as well as students of Mass Communications, among others.
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(Editor: Ken Eseni)
