Deji Elumoye, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, says the union has insured 250 journalists under its comprehensive insurance policy for journalists.
Elumoye told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that the union would register more members depending on the nature of its finances.
He also urged employers of journalists to insure the lives of their employees to give them a sense of belonging and security.
Elumoye said: “As regards the insurance, because we know the kind of job we do, that as journalists, we work 24 /seven, at short notice you are asked to go and cover one assignment or the other.
“That is why the leadership of the union, NUJ, evolved that policy, comprehensive insurance policy for journalists but because of paucity of funds, we cannot insure the lives of every practicing journalist in Lagos.
“As we speak, we have over 7,000 journalists working in Lagos, but we do not have much money.
“At the last count, we have been able to insure about 250 of our members – 250 journalists cross Lagos, but as a union and as a professional body but as we have more money, we will insure more lives.
“But we have also advised our employers that they should also key into the insurance programme.
“Let them insure the life of every journalist working for them. That will give an average journalist sense of belonging.”
According to Elumoye, the union’s insurance policy is doing well, adding that many colleagues are already taking the policy personally.
He said: “The best thing is to advice media owners to key into the programme and insure the lives of journalists in Lagos.”
Elumoye, however, expressed dismay at the shoddy treatment being meted out to journalists by the government and the citizenry.
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