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Considering the risks and threats journalists encounter in the line of duty, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, says there is need for compulsory insurance coverage for members of the fourth estate.
Runsewe, represented by Mr Frank Meke, made the recommendation at a symposium organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel, Lagos, to mark the 2022 NAN NUJ Media Week.
Runsewe, who was the Chief Guest of Honor at the programme, emphasised the importance of journalists in the society.
“The challenges of insecurity are also affecting the journalists.
“This is because security is also part of the welfare system they require in order to do their job; unsafe environment affects their state of mind.
“It is important for all journalists to have insurance coverage,’’ he said.
He encouraged the general public to support journalists in their struggle as they could not do it alone.
“Journalists need our support especially those in the field; NAN cannot do the advocacy alone,’’ he said.
Runsewe advised journalists to take good care of their health and go for regular checkups.
According to him, journalists go through stress in the cause of news coverage and production.
He condemned the attitude of suffering in silence and encouraged journalists to confide in one another about their problems.
“The problem with us is that we don’t like to share our problems; look for your friend you can confide in.
“If you have a problem just share it; you never know who can help you. Also you need to know that you are not alone,’’ he advised.
NAN reports that the NAN NUJ Media Week 2022 started on Monday, Sept. 19 with a Health/Fitness Walk.
Wednesday, Sept. 21 was marked as a Cultural Day to showcase the diverse rich cultures in Nigeria.
Members of staff from various ethnic groups displayed their traditional attire, cuisine and dance.
Some of the dignitaries who attended the Public Symposium on Thursday included representatives from Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal Abisogun II, Oniru of Iruland, Lagos and Dr Patrick Korie, MD, SUNU Health Nigeria (Chairman of the occasion).
Others were two guest speakers CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Nigeria Police Force Spokesman (represented) and Dr Samuel Aladejare, a psychiatrist who is President, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba.
Mr Bola Audu of Nestle Nigeria Plc and Dr Seyi Oyesola, Founder and CEO of Critical Care Consultants – A3Cs, were also among other dignitaries that attended the programme. (NAN)
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