NUJ President reiterates commitment to improved welfare for journalists

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Alhassan Yahya, on Sunday, reiterated his commitment to the welfare of journalists in the country.

Yahaya made the commitment in Gombe, while interacting with the state’s NUJ council executives and veterans.

He said that journalists deserved better incentives to function effectively.

According to him, the union under his leadership, is engaging with critical stakeholders in government, to ensure better salary structure and allowances for journalists working with the Federal Government.

He expressed optimism that with the efforts being made, concerned journalists will soon be enjoying improved remuneration.

“Talking of weigh in allowances for Federal media organisations, I want to tell you that something is in the pipeline and any moment from now, they will have an increase in terms of allowances and so on.

“Once we achieve that, we will work to ensure that it is domesticated at the state councils, towards ensuring inclusion of other journalists across the country,” he said

.

Yahya said that the NUJ under his watch is also working with critical partners to re-introduce the Media Enhancement Bill that was before the eighth Assembly.

He said that part of his engagement is to also ensure that journalists in the country get insurance packages.

The NUJ national president consequently, enjoined journalists to have attitudinal change towards their profession.

“We must learn to support the course of our fellow journalists.

“This is one profession that fights for others but for themselves; this must change.

“If medical and health workers are on strike, we will see journalists rallying behind them for government to negotiate and increase their salaries but no journalists will stand and fight for this profession,” he said.

Yahya further urged unity among journalists in the state and country at large, adding that they should recommit to integrity, professionalism, and collaboration in combating the proliferation of quacks in the profession.

“We are faced with a serious challenge today; If someone has an android phone and data, he can call himself a journalist, this is unacceptable,” he said.

He underscored the need for journalists to actively reclaim their vital role in the digital landscape through professionalism, integrity and promoting truth to counter fake news and misinformation.

Supreme news reports that highlights of the event was the inauguration of a five-man Presidential Advisory Council for the Gombe NUJ Council.

Those inaugurated include Asabe Baba-Nahaya, Abubakar Adamu, Abubakar Abba, Al-Hassan Yahaya and Saidu Malala.