Ndoma Egba
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
The Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba on Thursday in Calabar donated the sum of N5 million to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River Council Endowment Fund Launch.
Ndoma-Egba, who was represented by Mr Utum Eteng, said the amount would span the period of five years with N1 million annually, adding that, he would personally monitor the use of the fund.
“I will personally monitor the use of the fund and if it is properly utilised, I will step up my contribution,” he said.
The endowment fund launch was organised by the State Council of NUJ to cater for the families of deceased Journalists.
Speaking, a veteran Journalist, Mr Nelson Coco-Bassey, described Journalists as endangered species, saying that, they assist personalities climb to high places only to be forgotten.
“We do the job that pleases those in high places, but they turn round to talk down at Journalists,” he said.
He appealed to Governments at all level to take the issue of Journalists’ welfare as top priority.
He said: “I want to plead with governments at all level and Philanthropists in the country to take another look at the plight of Journalists in the country.
“Let the welfare of journalists be part of the expenditure pattern of the government.”
The State Chairman of NUJ, Mr Ndoma Akpet, said that Journalists across the country receive poor remuneration despite their strategic position as the watchdog of the society.
According to him the situation is so bad that when a journalist meets with a misfortune, like death, the entire family is stagnated.
Akpet said that unless public spirited people take up the welfare of such families, such survivors were bound to face harrowing conditions.
He disclosed that the Council had set up a Board of Trustee made up people of high integrity to manage and administer the funds so that it could meet the desired intentions.
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