AWKA – The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, Mr. Lious Dilibe, weekend called for an immediate upward review of journalists’ wages in the country.
Dilibe made the call in Awka when he paid a condolence visit to the Anambra State NUJ Council over the death of the Council’s Secretary, Miss Ifeoma Anumba.
He stressed the need for the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Information to take a look at the wages and welfare of journalists in the country.
The chairman urged the Federal Government to always bear in mind hazards attached to the job.
Dilibe said the norm that newsmen in the country were not well paid, well regarded or cared for should be changed and upgraded to what was obtainable in the Western world.
“The profession is filled with risks and is time consuming, as such practitioners should be well remunerated and catered for,’’ he said.
He said the journalism profession was saddled with lots of running around and advised that journalists should make out time to have regular medical check-ups to avoid premature deaths or illnesses.
He consoled Mr. Henry Nwasike, the Anambra Council’s Chairman and the entire journalists in the state over the loss and prayed that such occurrence will not occur in the nearest future.
Responding, Nwasike thanked the team for making out time to visit the council and assured that once the family of the deceased fixed a date for the internment, the council would be notified.
It would be recalled that Anumba died on May 4 after a brief illness in Anambra State General Hospital, Amaku, Awka.
Mrs. Chieso Aninwaagwa, Vice-President National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) South-East and Mrs. Ifeoma Amuta, Enugu NAWOJ Chairperson were also present at the condolence visit.