…As Gombe NUJ Revived Award Night for Members
By Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe
In a decisive move to bolster the welfare of media professionals, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, has pledged to intensify the push for improved remuneration and a comprehensive health insurance framework for practitioners across the country.
Speaking at the Dinner and Awards Night marking the conclusion of the NUJ Press Week organized by the Gombe State Council, Comrade Yahaya underscored the intrinsic link between financial security and ethical journalism.
He maintained that fair compensation, coupled with robust health and life insurance coverage, remains the bedrock upon which journalists can discharge their duties with the required professionalism and independence.
“Our leadership is committed to ensuring that the hazards of the profession are met with adequate safeguards,” Yahaya stated during the gala.
Je added that “We have already laid the groundwork for a national health insurance scheme, and our goal is to ensure every practicing journalist is both a contributor to and a beneficiary of this vital safety net.”
The event, which served as a revival of the council’s recognition culture, also drew commendation from the Gombe State Government.
Ismaila Uba Misilli, the Director-General of Press Affairs at Government House, lauded the state’s press corps for its constructive role in highlighting developmental milestones.
He noted that the synergy between his directorate and the media has been instrumental in fostering transparent governance in Gombe State.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Gombe State Council, Comrade Faruq Mu’azu Gombe, called for internal solidarity, urging members to take ownership of the union’s welfare-centric policies.
Faruk remarked that “The strength of our union lies in our collective participation. These programs are designed for us, by us, and they require your full engagement to succeed.”
The highlight of the night was the presentation of professional excellence awards, which saw Fatima Sadiq of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) clinch the title of Best Radio Presenter. Yunusa Isa Kumo of Amana Radio was honored as the Best Radio Reporter of the Year 2025.
Other distinguished recipients, including Abbas Maikano of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Halilu Teli of the Gombe Media Corporation (GMC), expressed profound gratitude for the honors.
Reflecting the sentiment of the awardees, the members described the recognition as a “significant catalyst” that would spur them toward even greater dedication in their service to the public.