ENDOWMENT FUND FOR CROSS RIVER STATE JOURNALISTS, LAUNCHED

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State held its endowment fund launching/inaugural lecture today with the theme: JOURNALISM YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW AND ITS CONSTRAINTS.

The event, held at the Unical Hotel Conference Hall had in attendance various Journalists, supporters, associates and friends.

The Chairman of the event, Comrade Nelson Koko Bassey lamented the death of departed journalists, who had made great contributions while they were alive.

He remarked that Journalists earn pittance and it makes them not respected in the society. He lamented the absence of insurance cover for journalists in Nigeria even as at today.

He Commended today's event the Comrade Ndoma Akpet led dispensation for embarking on such a noble ideology.

The journalist’s was described as the ones from who so much is expected of you but get very little in return.

National President of the NUJ, Mohammed Garba, tasked Journalists to rise up to the challenge of the coming election. He identified with the project and promised to give it all his personal necessary backing.

A national officer, Sam Egbala bemoaned that the people made by the pen of the journalists often slight them the most by shunning events organized by journalists.

Journalists are the ones who fought for independence but wondered where they stand in enjoying those fruits, but however reminded them that there was no need to be discouraged as the endowment shall be continuous.

Bar Shanahan Utum Ubi Represented Senator Ndoma Egba described the
Endowment fund for Journalists in Cross River State as noble. He reminded that
death puts every man in a helpless state hence redering their families left without help if not planned for in our society.  

He said that the Journalists are endangered species because they have to find the truth and tell it, which put them at risk with those who might want to suppress the truth.

He advised them to shun Sponsored conclusion in the society induced on the press by politicians, who tailor stories to suit the whims and caprices. Reminding that was the duty of journalists to keep personal opinions out of reportage and that, Journalists have no right to judge and sentence an accused person on the pages of newspapers.

He berated the gang up of some journalists out to sabotage the efforts of others, reminding them that truth is expected from a journalist and doing otherwise is to make on-informed judgment.

Other speakers rejoiced that the endowment has been expected to come in order to change the status quo and succor journalists from the many challenges facing them as they pursue their legitimate duties and I implored members of the society to see the need to donate generously.

They were tasked further to follow objectivity while reporting the politicians to the public and to stop synchronizing news headlines to differ from the content of the story in a sensationalism format which is the bane now.

The endowment fund is to cushion the effects of the evils experienced by the journalists in the form of insurance as they engage in their tasking and dangerous profession. And government will do well to cue in to contribute to the course of a profession described as the fourth estate of the realm.
Other dignitaries represented at the occasion include Senator Liyel Imoke, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, Barr. Kanu Agabi (SAN) and a host of others.