By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),says it has commenced the process of having stabilisation fund for its members to aid them in terms of the recent COVID-19 induced economic down turn in the country.
The President of the union, Chief Chris Isiguzo, disclosed this at the NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja on Monday, when he paid Journalists on a “thank you visit”, preparatory to the Triennial National Conference of the union schedule for Abia state in about two weeks from now.
Isiguzo, who said he would be seeking re-election during the conference, added that the union was executing the project in conjunction with other critical stakeholders in the media industry, in the country, to ensure its success.
According to him,when on board,the fund, which would come with template for the media houses, would be such that “by the time we are through with this, NUJ will start to see El Dorado.”
He noted that the media was not spared the negative impact of COVID-19,as media houses lost advertisements and thus unable to discharge their financial obligations to most Journalists, especially salaries and other emoluments.
The NUJ president, however, said the economic challenges that accompanied COVID-19 notwithstanding, his administration had been able to ensure that the era of non payment of the salary of Journalists had reduced considerably, due to its prompt intervention.
Isiguzo, who arrived Lokoja with the chairman of his campaign Committee,Mr Amos Sunita and other members, said the current administration of the union had also ensured that Journalists were not detained for longer hours by security agencies.
He described Journalists as one of the critical stakeholders in the ensuring the success of the Nigerian project.
Isiguzo called on all contestants in the forthcoming election at the triennial conference not to see election as a do or die affair, stressing that “election will come and go, what matters is the sustanance of friendship among members of the union.
Our Correspondent reports that Isiguzo and his team were received by the kogi state council chairman of the union, Alhaji Momojimoh Adeiza,his executive officers and large crowd of Journalists in the state.
The Reporters reports that the statecouncil of the union will present two contestants: Alhaji Ali Atabo and Mr Abdul Samson Aji,for the position of Vice President, Zone D and Zonal Secretary for the same zone respectfully during the conference.
