Plateau journalists remember fallen colleagues, seek improved safety and insurance
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
Plateau State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel recently organized a memorial and prayer session to honor eight journalists who tragically lost their lives in a motor accident on May 16, 2007.
The event, which marked the 17th anniversary of the accident, paid tribute to the journalists who were on official duty from Shendam LGA at the time.
Speaking on the topic “Taking Personal Responsibility for Our Safety as Journalists,” guest speaker, Assoc. Prof. Taye Obateru, from the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Jos, emphasized the importance of journalists being proactive about their safety.
Drawing a comparison with soldiers, Obateru highlighted the vulnerability of journalists in today’s society, where the enemy is not always easily identifiable.
“A soldier knows who the enemy is and targets them, but a journalist does not know if someone smiling at them might actually be an enemy.”He said.
He noted the diminished respect for journalists, making them more vulnerable, and highlighted the psychological toll of the profession.
“Many journalists face trauma without realizing it, as we don’t go for mental health checks. The pressures are increasing, so we need to pay attention to our emotional and mental stability,” he advised.
Additionally, he called for better insurance coverage for journalists to ensure their protection and that of their families.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information in Plateau State, Hon.Musa Ashoms, praised the Chapel for organizing the event to remember their fallen colleagues and proposed the establishment of an endowment fund to support the families of the deceased journalists.
“The Chapel has done something remarkable in remembering its members, We also want to see if we can open an endowment fund, because even those of us that are alive find surviving difficult, let alone losing your breadwinner.” He said.
Also, a former Governor of the state, Joshua Dariye, represented by Gideon Mitu, expressed condolences and acknowledged the hazards journalists face in their line of work.
“Journalists experience a lot of hazards, including loss of job, intimidation, harassment, and even paying the ultimate price in the line of duty,” Mitu stated.
Mitu called for adequate insurance coverage for journalists, with contributions from both journalists themselves and media proprietors.
Earlier in his welcome address, The Chairman of the Chapel, Mr. Polycarp Auta, reflected on the significance of gathering to pray and remember the journalists who lost their lives in the tragic accident.
“Today, we have come here to pray and remind ourselves of this work called journalism, that we have decided to take as our profession.” He said.
During the event, prayers were offered by both Muslim and Christian clerics, highlighting the unity and shared sense of loss within the journalism community.
The eight journalists who lost their lives in the 2007 accident were Isaac Agbo (The Nation Newspaper), Reuben Emeje (Federal Information), Sudan Lar (NTA Jos), Musa Nuhu (NAN), Emmanuel Adinoyi (AIT/Raypower Jos), Judith Adams (New Nigerian Newspaper), Moses Ezulike (Champions Newspaper), and Chinwo Avre (Leadership Newspaper). Their deaths were a significant loss to the journalism community and their families.