The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council has called on Gov. Seyi Makinde to assist media houses and journalists in cushioning the economic effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
Mr Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman told newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan that the union is not happy with the news coming from colleagues across media houses.
“The news we are getting from our colleagues across media houses in the state is not something we are happy about,” he said.
Babalola called on the governor to please come to the aid of media in general through stimulus packages aim at bring succour at this period of COVID-19 pandemic.
“We want the governor to assist media houses through stimulus packages to be able to retain the jobs of our colleagues in the media sector.
“This support will also prevent the problem of misinformation and misconceptions in the society as well as happenings in the world of coronavirus,” he said.
The chairman described journalists as frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, saying they deserved some form of palliatives from government and other well meaning Nigerians.
He reminded the governor of his promise to assist journalists in the state during a radio programme monitored in Ibadan recently.
Babalola affirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting the media generally, saying the sector is one of the worst hit in Nigeria.
The chairman appealed to media owners not to send their colleagues packing from their job schedule, saying such action would further affect their livelihood at this pandemic period.
According to him, “we want the management of all media houses in the state to please not lay off our colleagues. They should allow them continue their job.
“We pray that this pandemic will be a thing of the past and the economy will be bouyant again,” he said.
