NUJ to float trust fund for journalists

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has said that it is planning to float a trust fund where its members would draw benefits to better their lot.

Chairman of the NUJ, FCT Council, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, said this on Monday in Abuja, while conferring a Peace Ambassador award on Chairman Zaura Energy Limited, Abdulsalam Abdulkareem Zaura.

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This is as he also urged Nigerians of goodwill to be ready to contribute to the funds when floated stating that many practitioners were living in abject poverty.

According to him, the Council was spurred by Zaura’s myriad philanthropic and humanitarian gestures in the society; many pursuits of peace in the country as well as community development project he single-handed carried out in Kano State and other parts of the country.

He described Alhaji Zaura as an outstanding leader, grassroots developer and committed media supporter who is not only a man of affluence but also of influence saying that he has dedicated his life to helping the less privileged persons in the society.

“The NUJ wants to build a relationship with you that endures, a mutually beneficial relationship where we will tell Nigerians the worthy character that you are, the good thing that you do and the ability that you possess to do even more.

“We know you are not just a man of affluence. You are a man of influence and together we think we can do great things. We want to see a situation where you are a positive force for change, for development for our members and for the country.

“We are planning a trust fund where we will once in a while go to that trust fund and support our members, some desire to go back to school, some have issues of health challenges. So, individuals like you can also bring your friends to contribute to this initiative,” Ogbeche said.

Responding, Mr Zaura who expressed delight in the NUJ’s gesture described the union as a wonderful friend which has continued spotlight his activities, giving him courage and acting as a source of inspiration to him.

While pledging not relent in his philanthropic and humanitarian works, he added that for NUJ to have given him the award, he would not relent in availing the union of support at all times.

“The Nigerian Union of Journalist has been a very wonderful friend to us because you always open your eyes to search and see that potential in me and believing in me and giving me courage. You people serve as source of inspiration to me, making my knee and my elbow so strong to give more alms to the orphanage, to fight and strive more in what I’m doing,” Zaura said.