Nigerian Newsday

By Kajo Martins, Makurdi

The chief press secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Dr Tyozua Atim has instituted a Media Trust Fund for correspondents in the state with an initial take off grant of N100,000.00.

Performing the ceremony at Government House Press Centre in Makurdi, Dr. Atim said he discovered that journalists are in a grave danger in the course of their duties expressed optimism that the gesture would go along way in strenghtening their spirit.

He recalled that about fifteen years ago, when he was the chief press sercretary to the then military governor of Benue State, Col. Fidelis Makka, some correspondents besiege his office for financial assistance to solve one problem or the other, "even now, they still come and this motivated me to set aside 5% of my monthly salary to start the scheme and call on friends of journalists to contribute to the fund.

The chief press secretary who also challenged the office of the vice president zone D as well as the NUJ Benue council to look at the possibilities of enlarging the scheme to accommodate all journalists in the state.

He called on all public spirited individuals to give journalists a backing to protect Nigeria’s fledging democracy.

Also speaking, the vice president of NUJ zone D, Miss Joyce Bur and the state chairman, Mr. Ben Bem Mngutyo described the gesture as first of its kind in the state. Mr Mngutyo who donated N30.000.00 expressed hope that the fund would be used judiciously.

Speaking at the occasion, special assistant to the governor on media, Alhaji Baba Salau described the fund as commendable and changed journalists to show maturity and organisation in the course of their duties in the state.

Others who contributed to the fund include Alhaji Baba, N20,000.00, the General Manager of Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation, Makurdi, Mr. Tor Orpin, N10,000.00 the General Manager of Radio Benue, Mr. Elvis Attah N20,000 the publisher of Pavilion Newspaper, Mr. Babs Osigbe N5,000 while ThisDay correspondent in Benue State, Mr. Abel Ori Idoma pledged N20,000 on behalf of the company.

The chapel chairman, Mr. Iser Vanger, of Vanguard in his response thanked Dr. Tyozua Atim for his initiative and assured that the fund would be used for the purpose it was meant.