A total of 32 members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Friday, got N1,825,000 welfare package from the union.
This brings the amount to N2.150 million so far spent since the implementation of the scheme on August 2, 2019.
Under the death of members’ category, each bereaved family of the four journalists received N200,000, while 13 members who were bereaved went home with N50,000 each.
Under the celebration category, 15 members got N25,000 each.
However, under the celebration category for last year, two benefited from N25,000 each.
The second batch also recorded two beneficiaries in January this year, one of them being the family of a deceased journalist, whose spouse received N200,000. The other beneficiary got N50,000.00, under the bereavement category.
At the event held at NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, Comrade Amos Etuk, the state chairman said the gesture was a clear indication that his administration was not playing politics with the welfare of journalists in Akwa Ibom.
Etuk assured journalists that their welfare would never take a back seat during his administration and called on those who have not contributed to the welfare purse to do so.
The state chairman thanked members of the State Working Committee (SWC), chapel chairmen and secretaries as well as the Welfare Committee for the implementation of the scheme.
The chairman of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Akpan Ikim, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said that he was partnering the Union on an awareness campaign on environmental issues.
Ikim said that his agency’s focus during this rainy season is desilting of drains, but lamented the attitude of some residents of Uyo Metropolis, who delight in dumping waste in the gutter when it rains.
He added that environmental sanitation was everybody’s job and urged residents of Uyo to desilt drains in their neighborhood during the environmental sanitation exercise.
Earlier, Comrade Edem Okon, the chairman of the Welfare Committee, had assured journalists of his commitment and that of the team to the successful implementation of the scheme.
In their separate remarks on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Grace Akpan, Elder Patrick Albert and Mr. Nkereuwem Etok lauded the NUJ for sharing in their sorrow and in the celebration too.
A minute silence was observed in honour of the departed journalists: Itoro Bernard, who was of the State Information Chapel; Emmanuel Ikora, Correspondents’ Chapel; Ima-Abasi Etok, AKBC TV Chapel and Monday Akpan, Federal Information Chapel.
Under the scheme, members of the union are required to contribute N500 each towards the bereavement of a member.
Loss of parent or spouse attracts N200 contribution from each member, while N100 is for social activities.
