The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), has initiated the health emergency and hazard fund for health journalists with One Million Naira.
The Coordinator of AHBN, Dr Aminu Magashi, at the launch, urged Nigerians, governmental bodies, development partners, and the private sector to empathize with journalists, recognizing their humanity as they fulfill their societal duties.
The AHBN coordinator, who has enhanced the skills of health journalists across the nation on various occasions, made an initial deposit of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira into the dedicated account for health and hazards managed by the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, assuring that the balance will be paid before the year comes to an end.
He highlighted that journalists, who are responsible for informing, educating, and entertaining society while ensuring government accountability, are often underappreciated and expected to disseminate information despite their personal challenges.
Addressing the AHNEJ congress meeting in Abuja, where the Trust Fund was introduced, Dr. Magashi emphasised the need to acknowledge journalists’ personal struggles.
“Journalists are frequently taken for granted, and their personal challenges are often overlooked when they are invited to cover events for public dissemination. We tend to underestimate them, as seen when event organizers scold journalists for being late without considering the underlying reasons.”
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“At AHBN, we believe it’s time to alter the perception of journalists and prioritize their welfare. This initiative does not aim to influence their reporting, as professional journalists uphold factual reporting.”
Dr. Magashi underscored the Fund’s purpose, which is to support ANHEJ members facing health hazards or challenges while carrying out their duties. He encouraged the public and organizations reliant on journalists to consider following AHBN’s example in supporting ANHEJ.
Advocating for contributions to the AHBN Health and Hazard Trust Fund, Dr. Magashi stressed the importance of collective support to sustain the initiative. He emphasized that when journalists feel valued by society, their work will reflect excellence.
Responding to the gesture, a pleased ANHEJ President, Joseph Kadiri, acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the Fund and its significant impact on journalists’ work.
Kadiri assured that transparency and accountability would guide the Fund’s management, preventing any misuse. He expressed gratitude for AHBN’s considerate gesture and recognized its potential positive influence on the journalism profession in the country.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE