The General Manager of Voice Newspaper, the Benue state owned newspaper, Mr. Philip Hamza has called on journalists to take issues concerning them very seriously and give the press week adequate publicity.
Mr. Hamza stated this in his office in Makurdi, the Benue state capital when members of the the press week commttee paid him a visit.
He noted that the press week is a yearly ritual of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and advised the committee and members to handle it well and particilate fully to enable the union have a successful week.
He pledged the support of the management of Voice and to personally support the comittee and participate to give the needed support for the event.
Mr. Hamza praised the activities lined up for the event especially the health check and the football match saying journalist are always on the beat and hardly find time to relax or check themselves.
He also comnended the proposed football match, as according to him, “events like the SWAN Cup competition in the past brought journalist together.
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“We interact only at news events and not at our off times and this is not good. So we have to revive those activities that bring us together” adding that “the ‘ATE’ at the NUJ Center which used to serve as a rallying point for all journalists in the state should be fixed.”
Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Mr. Terlumunq Nyifyan told the GM that the committee had visited to seek his support; advice and contribution towards the success of the event.
While he enumerated the activities lined up for the event, he also stated that the committee had visited to seek his partnership and support for the event.
According to him, the health check which will be held today, November 16, was to remind journalists of the need to take their health as a priority even in their tight schedules.
He emphasized that the health personnel will check blood pressure, HIV status, Diabetes and Hepatitis B saying “these are silent killers in recent times and journalists cannot afford to be playing with their lives.
He called on all journalists in the state as well as members of the public to participate in the activities.