Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Nigeria Union of Journalists Kogi state Council, has passionately appealed to Governor Yahaya Bello and Kogi state government, to as a matter of urgency come to the assistance of Mr Bolu Obahopo, the Correspondent of Vanguard newspapers in Kogi whose family members were involved in a ghastly motor accident.
Recall that on Friday 5th of November, 2021, the NUJ bus conveying the family members of Mr. Bolu Obahopo, to a wedding in Benin City had an accident before Okene losing
5 lives while others sustained life threatening injuries.
Kogi state Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Adeiza Momoh Jimoh, who addressed a press conference at the NUJ Secretariat in Lokoja on Monday, explained that the wife of the Vanguard correspondent has been referred to Alliance hospital, Garlic Abuja, and because of her critical condition.
According to the Chairman, a whopping sum of 3.5 million is required to perform urgent surgery on her to stop further damage to her system.
Based on the critical condition, the Union is appealing to the government and other public spirited individuals to please come to the aid of this distressed family by way of financial assistance.
He used the opportunity to acknowledge the initial financial assistance given by some political office holders in the state, when the accident happened, but what was realised has since gone into the preliminary treatment at the Okene General hospital, FMC, Lokoja and University Teaching Hospital Gwgwaladapi before the real bill for the surgery came out.
While hoping for the magnanimity of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the government of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, donations can please be channeled into the account: Acct Name: Boluwaji Obahopo, Bank Name: UBA, Acct Number: 2034447686
” We want to passionately appeal to the Kogi State government and by extension, Governor Yahaya Bello to please come to the aid of this journalist who for over a decade now been reporting the activities of Kogi state.” Adeiza pleaded.
While sympathizing with the victims of the accident, the NUJ Chairman said the recent unfortunate happenings to journalists in the country have brought to the fore the need for insurance cover for journalists and members of their immediate families.
He called on the National Assembly to as a matter of necessity come up with laws that will ensure that journalists get insurance cover that will be able to take care of their families in the event that they suffer permanent disability in the course of their duty.
The Union leader also urged Proprietors of media Houses to make welfare of their staff top priority through prompt payment of salaries, provision of health insurance and other incentives needed for them to function well.
“Enough of the pauperization of journalists in this country. We must not be cap in hand begging for alms for any reason.” He said.
The NUJ Kogi State council also wish to join the national Secretariat and other councils to condemn in strongest terms the controversial circumstances surrounding the death of Henry Tordue Salem Vanguard House of Representatives correspondent who went missing for days and was later found dead.
” It is our hope that the security agencies do more investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding his unfortunate death.” Adeiza maintained.
