By Asuquo Cletus
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, has called for the passage of the Media Enhancement Bill as well as the inclusion of journalists in state health insurance schemes across the country.
Yahaya made the call on Saturday at the Ernest Bassey Press Centre in Calabar during the first-ever interactive meeting with veteran journalists and stakeholders of the union in Cross River State. The parley, he explained, was aimed at charting fresh ideas on how to move the union forward.
According to him, the Media Enhancement Bill, which was earlier presented before the 7th and 8th National Assembly but stalled after its second reading, is being reworked with new strategies for presentation. He said the bill seeks to address poor remuneration in the industry, noting that journalists deserve improved welfare packages in line with global standards.
“If the President can increase remuneration for the judiciary by almost 300 percent, why not journalists? This time around, we are determined to push through the Media Enhancement Bill with the support of sister organizations such as the Guild of Editors, NIPR, and international NGOs working in the media space,” Yahaya said.
The NUJ President also urged members to take advantage of the state health insurance agencies now being established across the federation, emphasizing that universal health coverage will help reduce out-of-pocket expenses and curb maternal mortality.
He explained that with a modest contribution, journalists can gain access to primary, secondary, and tertiary health care services without the burden of heavy costs.
On internal reforms, Yahaya noted that the union had streamlined the issuance of identity cards, ensuring that members who pay their practicing fees promptly receive their ID cards within a month. He appealed to members of the Cross River Council to continue paying their annual dues and to remain committed to the collective growth of the profession.
The Chairman of the Cross River State NUJ Council, Archibong Bassey, assured that the state council had processed ID cards for all eligible members, adding that the latest batch would soon be dispatched from the national secretariat.
The meeting provided a platform for veteran journalists and stakeholders to share ideas on strengthening the union.
