Calabar – The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, has called on journalists across the country to embrace health insurance schemes and support ongoing efforts to secure better welfare packages for members of the profession.
Victoria Omini
He made the call in Calabar during an interactive session with members of the Cross River State Council of the NUJ, where he emphasized his administration’s commitment to engaging journalists directly and fulfilling the promises made during his campaign.
“When I was campaigning to be President of the NUJ, I promised that wherever I go, I would make efforts to interact with members. The essence is to appreciate you for the services you render to this union and for the progress and support you continue to give us,” Yahaya said.
Addressing the plight of retired staff of the defunct New Nigerian newspapers, the NUJ President revealed that through interventions facilitated by the African Editors Journalists (AEJ), over 60 percent of their outstanding benefits had been released after nearly three decades of waiting. He added that the remaining balance would be settled before the end of the year.
Yahaya explained that the union’s recent constitutional review recognized the growing relevance of online journalism, noting that the decision was made to create space for veterans who still have much to contribute to the profession through digital platforms.
Speaking on health, he urged journalists to take advantage of the state health insurance schemes now available across Nigeria. “With as little as N15,000, one can subscribe and access primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare without huge out-of-pocket expenses. I want to sincerely appeal to you as veterans to take advantage of this,” he advised.
He also announced the union’s renewed drive for the passage of the Media Enhancement Bill at the National Assembly. According to him, the proposed law would address the remuneration of journalists and improve working conditions across the sector. “If the President can increase the remuneration of the judiciary by almost 300 percent, why not journalists? This time, we are expanding our advocacy to sister organizations like the Guild of Editors, NIPR, and international NGOs to support this cause,” Yahaya stated.
On union administration, Yahaya noted that reforms had been made in the issuance of NUJ identity cards, with members now able to obtain them within a month of paying their annual practising fee of N5,000. He reiterated his administration’s open-door policy and urged members to contribute ideas that would move the union forward.
“Let us hear from you how we can take our union to greater heights. Our doors are always open to your contributions for the development of journalism in this country,” he said.
In her remarks, the Cross River State NUJ Chairman, Mrs. Kamundia, confirmed that identity cards for members who had made payments were ready for collection, while urging others to pay up to be included in the next batch.
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