By Barth Ikiebe in Abuja.
A Media Charity Foundation (MCF), a public Trust, has been established to cater for the interests of distressed journalists in Nigeria.
The MCF, which has been registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), is an initiative of some serving and retired veteran journalists led by Mr. Henry Omonigu Atenaga as the Chairman, Board of Trustees.
The Secretary of the Board, Mr Ikechi Ibeji, said in a statement that the objectives of the MCF include the following:
Provide financial, psychological, health, and other needed support to distressed journalists arising from the nature of the job.
Enable the self-development opportunities for journalists in Nigeria.
Reduce post-retirement trauma for Nigerian media practitioners.
Provide support and an enabling environment for group health insurance for journalists in Nigeria.
Mr Ibeji said that it is also the intention of the MCF to give legal and medical support to incarcerated journalists or those incapacitated by ill-health.
At its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) held over the weekend, a veteran journalist and former Political Editor of the Daily Times, Dr. Emeka Nwosu was unanimously appointed the Executive Secretary to drive the vision of the Media Charity Foundation and put it on a firm footing.
“Other officers appointed to run the affairs of the MCF include the following:
Chief Ikechi Ayo Iroche, Chairman, Membership Committee; Dele Morakinyo, Chairman, SOS Committee; Remi Akano, Chairman, Marketing and Promotions Committee; Normah Awoh, Finance and Admin Executive, and Bayo Alabidun Esq., Foundation Secretary.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Nwosu expressed gratitude to the Members and Board of MCF for reposing utmost confidence in his capacity to effectively manage the affairs of the Foundation, assuring that he would do his best to justify the high expectations.
