The Kogi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has called on the state government to establish a comprehensive insurance scheme for practising journalists following a road accident involving members of the Correspondents’ Chapel.
The council made the appeal after journalists were involved in an accident on Obajana Road on Saturday while returning from an official assignment.
In a statement jointly signed by the council’s Chairman, Ademu Haruna, and Secretary, Atuluku Samuel, and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday, the union described insurance cover as a necessity given the occupational hazards associated with journalism.
It noted that journalists play a critical role in promoting democracy, accountability and national development and therefore deserve adequate welfare and protection through a structured insurance policy.
The statement urged the state government to establish a comprehensive insurance scheme for practising journalists, saying the initiative would boost the morale, commitment, courage and professionalism of media practitioners in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
