Business
Journalists Launch Insurance Scheme
The Vice President, Namadi Sambo has noted that recent developments in Nigeria have heightened concerns for insurance cover for journalists.
Sambo who spoke last Friday in Abuja at the inauguration of the insurance scheme for members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), stated that the design had become imperative in view of the occupational hazards of journalism profession in the country.
“As professionals whose responsibility is to monitor governance and hold government accountable to the masses, as well as to educate and enlighten the society, journalists indeed are faced with occupational hazards that require insurance cover.
“Press freedom and freedom of speech are fundamental freedoms that must be guarded. Therefore, attacks on journalists and media equipment are crime against humanity and must not be condoned.
“Such attacks from all intents and purposes, pose serious threats to fundamental freedoms,” the Vice President declared.
According to him, the Federal Government is committed to ensuring the safety of journalists and the respect for freedom of expression and press freedom which are of paramount importance to democratic governance.
The Vice President however, appealed to all employers of journalists in the country, especially the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria to support the scheme to enable all journalists benefit.
He asked journalists to maintain the highest standard of professional ethics and provide truthful, fair, objective and comprehensive account of events and issues to the citizenry.
He said that such enlightenment was a precursor of justice and foundation of democratic governance.
Sambo reassured the nation and the international community that the Federal Government was committed to conducting free and fair elections in 2011.
He also asked journalists to support and assist the government in achieving that noble objective.
“It is a collective responsibility that all of us have to shoulder. We need the advocacy support of all Nigerians especially, the journalists to succeed,’’ he stressed.
Also speaking on the occasion, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State announced a donation of N10 million in support of the NUJ Insurance Scheme.
He said his government would also pay one year premium of N6,750 per journalist almost the 200 registered journalists in the state.
The governor commended the initiative of the NUJ for introducing the insurance scheme for its members.
NUJ President, Alhaji Muhammed Garba, explained that the scheme would provide death benefit limit of N1.5 million for each registered member, while no medical examination is required.
According to him, the scheme accommodates a registered member up to the age of 65 and provides compensation to a named beneficiary.’’
Business
NCDMB, Dangote Refinery Unveil JTC On Deepening Local Content
Business
Food Security: NDDC Pays Counterpart Fund For LIFE-ND Project
Business
Replace Nipa Palms With Mangroove In Ogoni, Group Urges FG, HYPREP
-
Sports3 days ago
Oyibu predicts success for Team Nigeria at Athletics Championships
-
News3 days ago
Presidency Faults US Visa Restrictions On Nigerians, Demands Fair Treatment
-
Politics3 days ago
PDP Still Formidable Ahead 2027 – Nat’l Youth Leader
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Commissioner Explains Oborevwori’s Retirement Age Extentoon For Associate Profs
-
Politics3 days ago
Civic Duty, Not Politics Necessitated My Engagement With Abacha – Obi
-
Women3 days ago
What To Know About Fufu, Loi Loi
-
Sports3 days ago
Former Champion Seeks Title Defence At Para Table Tennis Tourney
-
Rivers3 days ago
Don Sues For Leadership Assessment Centre In IAUE