The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has said that both media and democracy would greatly benefit if journalists were better paid in the country.
The National Secretary of NUJ, Mr Shuaibu Leman, stated this while speaking in Bauchi at the Nigeria Union of journalists Bauchi on Sunday.
Speaking shortly after a church service thanksgiving programme to mark his retirement as a civil servant, Leman said: “The media is a dynamic industry and dealing with journalists is equally very difficult and I think some of the greatest challenges we have had, first, is the challenge of salaries and emoluments for journalists.
“If you look at it, journalists are one of the set of professionals that are least paid in this country.
“We have tried our best to ensure that salaries and emoluments are improved upon, the conditions and welfare of journalists are properly taken care of.
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“However, we have not succeeded as expected and this is one of my greatest regrets and I hope that those who come after us will continue with the struggle so that in no distant future, we will succeed in this regard.
“My belief is that when journalists are properly paid, they will perform optimally and both journalism and democracy will truly benefit from this,”
