By: Umar Mohd
The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has initiated a plan to support children of deceased members to further their education.
The Chairman of the State Council, Comrade Umar Sa’idu said decision followed a report submitted by the committee set up to provide template and accurate data across all chapels for the initiative.
The Chairman disclosed this yesterday while receiving the report from the committee set up by the Council two months ago at the council secretariat.
He expressed his appreciation to the members of the committee for their dedication and commitment to the project.
According to Sa’idu, the committee was set up to produce a template that will help in actualizing the Council’s plan to look for support towards the education of the deceased members, particularly in assisting their children with education, as many struggle to continue their schooling after the passing of their parents.
“We have seen the danger of it; after the death of our members, their children hardly continue with their education, especially those patronizing private schools, hence our decision to set up this committee to give us a template and data on how to assist these children, which will be a great achievement for the council and the profession.” He said
The NUJ Chairman recommended that the committee’s work should continue beyond his tenure, emphasizing the importance of supporting members’ children with their education.
He assured that the state council would deliberate on the report and take further action soon.
The chairman also commended the committee members for their courage and efforts, saying they would be considered for future committee appointments.
Earlier while presenting the report, chairman of the committee, the Financial Secretary of the Council, Salisu Bala Halliru, recalled that the committee was constituted by the Bauchi State Council of the Union to produce a template that will guide the Union on how best to support the education of children of deceased members.
The committee, chaired by Salisu Bala Halliru and Sam Luka as Secretary, was set up with the task of documenting deceased members and identifying their children who need educational support.
According to the report, the committee recorded 15 deceased colleagues between 2020 to date, and identified 29 children as potential beneficiaries across the state.
The committee recommended that the report be reviewed every three years, the initiative be expanded to cover at least 4 children per family instead of three and the intervention be restricted to children from primary to secondary school levels.
The committee appreciated the NUJ leadership for their support and cooperation in carrying out the assignment.(Echo Express)
