Governor of Nigeria’s Anambra State pledges support for journalists
Governor of Nigeria’s Anambra State Charles Soludo said that the state authorities would support the welfare and healthcare of journalists. He made the statement in the city of Awka during the closing event marking the 35th anniversary of the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
As Premium Times Nigeria reports, Soludo was represented at the event by the state Commissioner for Information and Values Reorientation, Law Mefor. The governor also urged media representatives to cover government activities responsibly and with a focus on development.
Health insurance
Soludo promised to consider an appeal concerning affordable healthcare for journalists. According to him, Anambra’s state health insurance programme is available to all state residents for 12,000 naira per year.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The governor said that the programme provides access to medical services, although it has certain exclusions, among which he mentioned cancer. The state authorities plan to explore with the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Anambra council, Odogwu Emeka, the possibility of enrolling journalists in the insurance programme as a group.
Responsible coverage
Soludo stressed the role of journalism in democracy and noted that the media must hold the authorities accountable. He called journalism indispensable to democracy and warned against sensational coverage, which, he said, could cause chaos in society.
President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Alhassan Yahya also called on journalists in the state to present information responsibly and accurately in order to ensure that people are held accountable for their actions. During the anniversary event, 28 people were recognised for their contribution to the development of journalism and society.
