By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kebbi Council, has distributed relief materials and cash to families of 18 late journalists in the state.
The items donated were a 25kg bag of rice and N15,000 to each of the deceased families.
While donating the items, Comrade Garba Muhammad-Yeldu, the Acting Chairman of the council, said the action was part of the union’s annual commitment to help the families of deceased members who served in the state.
“We are here once again to observe an annual ritual by the NUJ, to show sympathy to those who lost their parents in the course of serving our dear country Nigeria,” he said.
He said it was a noble cause that the union was doing to assist and accommodate families of the late colleagues in the state.
Comrade Yeldu appealed on other journalists as well as the general public to lend helping hands to the families of their late colleagues by visiting their homes and making donations.
Equally, the decision to donate the items is to support the families at this critical moment, when the assistance is most needed due to hardship and difficulties people faced.
Acting Chairman, added that the gesture was secured by the union from well- to-do individuals in the society.
“We thank Gaanou Farm Rice Limited and Labana Rice Mills, among others.
“The action will definitely go a long way in cushioning the effects of the challenges they are facing, especially in this period,” he expressed.
In his remaks, the Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, described the gesture as a “Godly deed”, especially during Ramadan period.
He said the act would no doubt aid in salvaging the hardship and difficulties faced by the families of the deceased journalists in the state.
“This action is not only highly commendable but also encouraging. We have nothing to say, but to thank you for this initiative and assistance to the families of our late colleagues,” he said.
