By Jummai Mohammad
The North East Development Commission, NEDC, has donated working equipment to journalists who were involved in a motor accident during an inspection tour in Bauchi State.
The donation was presented to media practitioners who were part of the Commission’s entourage to Yelwan Duguri in Alkaleri Local Government Area when the accident occurred.
Receiving the items, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, commended the NEDC for its swift intervention, noting that the support provided after the accident helped save lives.
He also appealed to the Commission to consider paying the health insurance fees of practising journalists in the North East, explaining that the NUJ has introduced a health insurance scheme requiring each journalist to contribute forty thousand naira.
According to him, settling the insurance fees would enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare for journalists in the sub-region and align with the Federal Government’s healthcare agenda.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Regional Development, Maigari Ahmadu, said the donation was aimed at replacing equipment lost or damaged in the accident.
The Managing Director of NEDC, Muhammad Alkali, disclosed that the items presented include video cameras, still cameras and tripods, among others.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting media practitioners and strengthening partnerships that promote development in the North East.
