Gombe NUJ commends government, others over support for deceased journalists

From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe

The Gombe State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed appreciation to the state government and other well-wishers for their support following the tragic death of seven journalists in a fatal auto crash.

The state chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Faruk Muazu, said the union was grateful to the state government for its swift intervention, particularly the donation of N2 million each to the families of the deceased journalists and the settlement of medical bills for those injured in the accident.

Comrade Muazu also commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies for their prompt response to the distress call, which he said was instrumental in rescuing survivors of the crash.

Meanwhile, the national president of the union, Malam Alhassan Yahaya, has pledged to intensify advocacy for improved remuneration and comprehensive life insurance coverage for practising journalists across the country.

Alhassan made the pledge while receiving condolence visits from NUJ state councils and the Gombe State Sector Command of the FRSC. According to him, adequate welfare packages, including life insurance, are critical to enabling journalists to discharge their professional responsibilities effectively, especially given the risks associated with the profession.

He noted that journalists have continued to lose their lives in the line of duty, stressing the need for institutional support to recognise their sacrifices. He referenced similar fatal incidents involving journalists in Plateau, Akwa Ibom, and Gombe states, calling for a coordinated national framework to improve journalists’ welfare and safety.

In his remarks, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Samson Kaura, extended condolences to the families of the journalists who died in the accident, assuring the union of the corps’ continued collaboration on road safety awareness.

Also speaking, the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Dauda Iliya, commiserated with the NUJ and bereaved families over the loss, describing the incident as a significant loss to the media industry.

Similarly, the general manager of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Damaturu, Mr Ahmed Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the organisation, paid tribute to the deceased journalists, describing them as dedicated professionals whose work contributed meaningfully to shaping public discourse and societal development.