COVID-19: Kwara NUJ receives government’s palliatives

Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has received palliatives from the Kwara State Government to cushion effect of lockdown on Journalists in the state.

Items donated to the union includes: semovita, noodles, spaghettis, sugar, vegetable oil and sachet tomatoes.

Government had earlier provided Journalists in the state as frontline workers with hand sanitizers to support them to be safe while on duty in this coronavirus pandemic era.

The Kwara NUJ has also benefited from the Kwara State Taskforce on COVID-19 training for members covering the outbreak of coronavirus in the state on the role of media in checking the spread of coronavirus.

Receiving the food items, the Council Chairman, Mall. Umar Abdulwahab thanked the Governor AbdulRamhan AbdulRazq for the show of love to Journalists in the state and reiterated members’ commitment to continue the enlightenment on the need for Kwarans to adhere strictly to safety measures put in place by the government against the spread of COVID- 19.

While commending the Kwara State Taskforce on COVID-19 for every effort put in place toward curbing the spread of the virus in the State, he appreciated the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, (CPS), Rafiu Ajakaye for being a good Ambassador of the Pen Profession.

The State Chairman said that the food items have been distributed immediately to the 12 Chapels that formed the State Council, which he believe will cushion the effects of lockdown imposed as a result of the pandemic

According the Chairman, “Journalists are also playing essential roles and are at the fore front of the COVID-19 campaign. Despite the fact that government cannot reach out to everyone at a time, the essential workers need to be motivated and encouraged.

“Journalists are also vulnerable to contract the COVID 19 virus. I want to caution members rendering essential services during the lockdown to observe all safety and precautionary measures needed to avoid spreading the virus.

“More worrisome, was the fact that a large number of Journalists were without face masks. My fear is that such compromised approach to duty does not only endanger the Journalists alone but also puts other colleagues, their families and other news sources at risk where they are exposed.

“Truly, our services are very essential at this period when the world is ravaged by coronavirus. The public look on to us for information on this global pandemic”, he added.

Mall. Umar however advised members to comply with directives by government and health officials, maintain high level of personal hygiene, most importantly observe social and physical distancing, including staying at home unless when necessary to go out on official duties.