NEDC Extends Hand of Hope to Journalists Injured in Bauchi Crash, NUJ Appeals for Health Insurance Support

NEDC Extends Hand of Hope to Journalists Injured in Bauchi Crash, NUJ Appeals for Health Insurance Support

By Auwal Umar ,Gombe

In a moving show of solidarity, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated essential working equipment to journalists who were involved in a motor accident during the Commission’s inspection tour in Bauchi State, easing the pain of a moment that shook the media community.

Receiving the items on behalf of the affected journalists, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, praised the Commission for its swift and compassionate intervention, describing it as a gesture that “went beyond equipment to restoring hope.”

“This timely support from the NEDC helped save lives and lifted the spirits of our colleagues at a very difficult time,” Abdullahi said.

While appreciating the Commission’s response, the NUJ President used the occasion to appeal for further support, urging the NEDC to consider paying the health insurance fees of practicing journalists across the Northeast subregion.

He explained that the NUJ has introduced a health insurance scheme under which every practicing journalist is required to pay ₦40,000 to access quality healthcare services.

“We are appealing to the NEDC to assist journalists in the North East by settling these insurance fees. This initiative perfectly aligns with the current administration’s agenda and will significantly contribute to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for media professionals who face daily risks in their line of duty, he continued.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Magari Ahmadu, said the donation was meant to cushion the impact of the accident on journalists who were part of the NEDC entourage during the inspection tour to Yelwan Duguri in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

He stated that the Commission felt a moral obligation to support the affected journalists in their professional duties.

Also speaking, the managing director of the NEDC, Muhammad Alkali, disclosed that the donated items include video cameras, still cameras, tripods, and other vital working tools that enable the journalists to fully return to their jobs.

Alkali stated, “We are intervening to prevent the accident-affected journalists from experiencing permanent setbacks.”

The gesture has been widely welcomed within media circles, considered a reminder that even in moments of tragedy, compassion and institutional support can help heal wounds and rebuild lives.