Live Video by Chairman of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Emmanuel Ogbeche
Good evening colleagues, this is the Chairman of Council, Emmanuel Ogbeche. I have been compelled to make this live video today because it has become apparent that journalists, our colleagues, are coming down with COVID-19 in a very fast and furious manner.
Therefore, this is an appeal and a wake-up call to each and every one of us to take the issue of our health seriously. Our safety is in our hands. We can no longer continue to pretend about the existence of COVID-19.
The implications are far and ranging. Most of our colleagues have lost their jobs, many more will, unfortunately, lose their jobs. But on the matter of staying alive, it is our responsibility.
It is disheartening that some of us still do not believe that COVID-19 is real and that its implications are tortuous.
Just today, a colleague of ours was evacuated to a treatment centre after we made the call for him, last Thursday. His samples were taken and his results came out yesterday to indicate that he is positive. Why COVID-19 is not a death sentence. It could be very telling not just on yourself as an individual but also on your family and loved ones.
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Today again, a colleague of ours that came out of treatment centre on Friday has complained of how stigmatized she has been around her neighbours, her life has become a loving hub but we have taken measure to ensure that she stays safe and that her neighbours no longer terrorize her and become a source of worry and concern to her.
We have reported the matter to the National Human Rights Commission. We are going to follow-up with the police this evening. So that she can live peacefully without hindrance because of the fact that she tested COVID-19 positive.
I want to appeal to our colleagues to take the issue of face mask seriously and to religiously use the hand sanitizers. Part of our measure to ensure that our colleagues have access to a face mask is that tomorrow, we would be distributing 15,000 thousand face mask to chairmen and secretary of chapels and to ensure that each member as much as possible in the various chapter get a face mask.
We would not get tired in our efforts to ensure that you stay safe but ultimately staying safe is in your hands and that is why we are making the appeal as the leadership of the NUJFT council that you must work to ensure that you live. It is sad when you go to events and assignments, you find our colleagues reckless as concerning their safety. Most do not use face mask. Most do not observe social distancing.
All of these are dangerous. While we want to ensure that there is an end to stigma and that those who unfortunately have come down with COVID-19 can have access to medical facility and treatment, It’s your duty to stay safe.
Thank you and may we continue to thrive in spite of COVID-19. God bless you.
Ogbeche is the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
