The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue Council, on Friday commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for approving N75,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.
The Council Chairman, Mr Bemdoo Ugber, gave the commendation when he led officials of the union on a courtesy call to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula in Makurdi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alia on Monday approved the sum of N75,000 as the minimum wage for workers and pledged to pay salary arrears of three months this year.
Ugber also commended the CPS for his relentless efforts in resolving the union’s leadership dispute that led to a successful election and eventual inauguration on November 16.
The chairman pledged the union’s unwavering support to the Alia-led administration in promoting the government’s people-oriented policies and programmes.
He expressed satisfaction with the Alia administration’s commitment to transparency, particularly its non-interference in or endorsement of candidates during the recent election conducted by the union.
Ugber appealed to the governor to ensure that all categories of media workers in the Stats enjoy weigh-in allowances as done nationwide.
The chairman appealed for a new bus for the union and renovation of the union’s office (NUJ House), which he described as an eyesore.
He also solicited for monthly stipends for NUJ members and veterans in private practice to encourage and sustain their publications and businesses.
Kula, in his remarks, congratulated the new executive committee of the union and urged them to support the government to succeed.
The CPS thanked his colleagues and promised to forward all their requests to the governor.
He urged the team to revive the vibrancy for which the union was known, especially in information dissemination.
Kula further encouraged the union to reinstate activities that kept the government accountable, such as the “MDAs Accountability Briefings.”
Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Publicity, and Communications Strategy, Bridget Tikyaa, commended the members of the fourth estate for resolving their protracted differences.
Tikyaa appreciated men of the pen profession for supporting the current administration thus far.
She urged the council to address the menace of quackery in the profession to ensure that only qualified journalists practice in the state.
The PSA challenged the union to be diligent in its efforts to ensure that all sectors of government are held accountable, as citizens should be kept informed.
The chairman’s delegation included Emmanuel Antswen, Chairman, Correspondents Chapel; Babs Osigbe of the Pavilion Chapel; and Paul Madeun, Chairman of NUJ Radio Benue Chapel.
Others were Elizabeth Achagh, NAWOJ Benue Chairperson, Ene Injua, Chairman Harvest FM Chapel Chairman Ene Injua, and Rosario Orsaar, SWAN Chairperson, among others.
