Media stakeholders and relevant sectors in Ebonyi.state have canvassed for the payment of hazard allowance to journalists in Nigeria to motivate them in giving their all to their profession.
They made the call in Abakaliki on Saturday during the grand finale of the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi chapter, with the theme: “Welfare of Journalists: Necessity for a vibrant Democracy.”
Stanley Mbam, the State Commissioner for Works, said journalists needed to be properly taken care of because of their strategic functions towards nation building.
Mbam, who was the Chairman of the occasion, hailed the contributions of the media to sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
“There is need for adequate press freedom, payment of hazard and related allowances to journalists in the country, to make democracy more vibrant.
“This will bring the desired sanity to the system and ultimately help in the fight against fake news and other anomalies,”
A Former Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, Mr John Otu, said in his keynote lecture that the media had contributed tremendouly.well to the growth of the nation’s democracy.
Otu decried the neglect of media practitioners in the country when they should ordinarily enjoy or be entitled to good conditions of service.
“I blame media handlers and owners of media houses on the poor welfare of their personnel.
“The private media owners present the most worrisome cases and one wonders how.people can be employed without salaries.
“Journalists deserve good pay as well as hazard allowances as they need special care and improvement on their wellbeing.”
He regretted that the government and the society would always want journalists to be objective in their reportage but their welfare is relegated to the background.
Gov. Francis Nwifuru, represented by Mr Ikeuwa Omebe, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said the state government is committed to promoting the media in the state.
“I urge journalists to continue supporting and propagating the policies of the federal and state governments, for sustainable democracy.”
The State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Samson Nwafor, commended Gov. Nwifuru on his media friendly policies which have made Ebonyi, a conducive place for journalism to thrive.
“We seek more of these policies, especially, support on improving welfare of journalists.”
Nwafor pleaded with the governor to look into issues surrounding the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) pocket layout where the NUJ secured about three acres of land for Journalists’ Estate.
“Every journalist who secured a plot there contributed not less than N500,000 and we plead with the governor to look into the matter.”
Awards were given to individuals who distinguished themselves in the media profession, governance, business, academia, service to humanity, among others.
The awardees include the state governor, state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Adaku Uche-Anya, Chief Darlington Ugota, Commissioner for Works, Former State NUJ Chairperson, Mrs Veronica Osim, among others.
The week-long event featured a novelty football match, medical outreach, road walks, visit to the orphanage, lecture series and award presentations among others.
