Senate to make insurance for journalists mandatory – Mark

The Senate President, Senator David Mark, has stated the National Assembly’s readiness to look into the possibility of giving journalists in the country insurance policy to cushion the hazards of the profession.
Senator Mark, who said this on Saturday at the opening of the two-day 2013 Senate Press Corps Retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, noted: “I advocate that there is need for you to have proper insurance and life coverage.
“As part of our legislative oversight function and in furtherance of good governance, it is also our concern and I believe we will be able to address that issue.”
The Senate president, who reasoned that the nature of job carried out by journalists require insurance coverage due to the risks involved, especially in volatile states in the North, commended journalists for always performing their duties effectively despite the risks involved.
Mark charged the Senate Press Corps to be factual in their reportage, to educate and enlighten the masses on the activities at the hallowed chambers.
He said: “I want to use this medium to talk to the media on reporting facts.
“I urge you to report facts as you see them, educate the people.
“There is no way you can educate people on falsehood.
“Education must be based on verifiable facts and figures.
“I must say the Senate Press Corps has done well but there is still room for improvement.
“The opportunity you have as Senate reporters is not available to all.
“If you are to criticise, criticise constructively and when it is time to praise, do so.
“Balance your report so that people can make inform decision.”
The Senate president lauded the infrastructural development in Akwa Ibom State, adding: “It is impossible to come to Akwa Ibom without making a statement that God’s will is done in the state.
“What we lack most in this country is not the vision, but the political will and courage to execute projects without distraction like what Governor Akpabio is doing.”
Governor Akpabio described Senator Mark as an epitome of simplicity, adding: “You are making history as the longest serving Senate president in Nigeria.”
He admonished the Senate Press Corps to project the Senate in good light by focusing on reports that would mould the image and reputation of the Red Chambers.
The governor remarked: “We should feed the public with good news because it has a lot to do with the image of the Senate and the image of Nigeria.
“Let’s not focus only on the bad news, bring out the good news.
“The good news will help to mould strength and build the image of the Senate.
“The entire world looks at democracy through the National Aassembly.
“On the whole, I must commend you for doing a great job, because there is hardly anything that occurs in the Senate that the rest of us are not informed.
“We see the chambers everyday through your eyes.
“If you were not there, it would have been impossible.
“I thank you for doing a good job by projecting the legislature very well.”