The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has advised media practitioners in Lagos to embrace the state government’s health insurance policy as a proactive measure for healthy living and wellness.
The NUJ Lagos State Chapter Chairman, Mr Ajayi Adeleye, gave the advice during the association’s Walk for Fitness exercise in Ikeja as part of activities of the union’s Press Week.
Journalists from all media houses converged at Ikeja UnderBridge and walked a distance of three kilometres to the NUJ Secretariat in Alausa.
Adeleye, who led the three kilometres health walk, lamented the low patronage of various highly subsidised health programmes organised by the council for journalists to know their health status.
He advised journalists to always carry out periodic health checks, urging those not captured by the federal health insurance policies to key into the state government’s scheme.
“The importance we attach to health is the reason for this walk. Journalists should take their health status very important.
“Journalists should key into the various health insurance schemes existing. Those not in the Federal and state civil service should key into the Lagos State Health Management Agency scheme,” he said.
The NUJ chairman appreciated members for the large turnout, and explained that the exercise was important to keep fit.
He said that journalists were always extremely busy, hence the programme to help them relieve stress and keep fit.
Ajayi appealed to journalists to take their health status serious and take advantage of the association’s various wellness programmes.
The chairman invited members to attend the cultural day event scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 24, saying that cultural meals and drinks would be served to showcase the nation’s rich heritage.
He urged members to dress in their local attires, saying that the best-dressed would be given awards.
He also announced the remaining programme of the Press Week to include a lecture on Wednesday, Gala/Awards Nite on Friday as well as Jumat and Sunday thanksgiving events.
The Chairman of the Lagos NUJ Health Committee, Julie Ekong, reeled out the benefits of health walk and the council’s various periodic health programmes.
Ekong, who is the Deputy Director, New Media, FRCN, also called for periodic health checks rather than waiting till diseases advance before detection.
“We sit a lot, sit on the screen a lot, talk a lot, we look a lot and we eat very late. When there is opportunity for health programmes, let us participate,” she said.
