The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, has urged the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to pay insurance premiums for practising journalists operating across the region.
Yahaya made the appeal during a brief ceremony by the NEDC management following a recent road accident involving journalists on an official assignment with the commission in Bauchi state.
He said NUJ recently introduced a Group Insurance Policy for Journalists, with a premium of about 40,000 naira per person, aimed at protecting media practitioners against health and occupational risks.
“Supporting this policy will help reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and promote universal health coverage. If NEDC adopts this, its name will be written in gold for taking a historic step in protecting journalists in the North-East,” Yahaya said.
He described NEDC as a partner of the media and pledged that NUJ would continue to project the activities of the commission and give visibility to its interventions across the zone.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, expressed sympathy with the injured journalists and thanked God that no life was lost.
He commended the management of NEDC for responding swiftly by providing medical care and replacing damaged equipment.
“Journalists are valuable partners in development. What NEDC has done shows responsibility and commitment to duty. As they recover, they will return to serve the nation better,” the minister said,
He urges the media to continue monitoring public institutions for accountability.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, said the commission approved ₦5 million and replacement of damaged working tools to support the affected journalists.
He assured that the commission would continue to follow up on their treatment and welfare until full recovery.
“Our concern is not only about medical care, but also ensuring they can return to work without hardship,” Alkali stated.
In a vote of thanks, the Bauchi State NUJ Chairman, Umar Sa’idu, praised the minister and NEDC officials for abandoning a scheduled project commissioning to attend to the victims at the hospital.
He also commended NEDC staff who stayed with the journalists throughout their treatment and appreciated the commission’s continued support to the union, especially as Ramadan approaches.
Rabilu Abubakar is a Nigerian journalist and media practitioner based in Gombe State with over 20 years of experience in reporting, translation, and newsroom management. Fluent in Hausa and English, he holds a Professional Diploma in Mass Communication, a Diploma in Public Accounting and Auditing from Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, and additional training from Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies.
He has worked with leading media organizations including Media Trust, Aminiya Newspaper, Leadership Hausa, and Dandal Kura Radio International, and served as News Editor at Magana Newspaper.
His expertise covers news writing, public health reporting, election coverage, and translation services.
He currently serves as a freelance correspondent for The Daily Frontier Online News Platform, reporting from Gombe State.
