By Uzor Odigbo
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), and other maritime stakeholders on Wednesday, tasked journalists to embark on healthcare insurance scheme and regular exercises to address preventable health crisis.
In his address, the executive secretary of NSC Barrister Hassan Bello who spoke at a Colloquium in honour of Late maritime journalist, Chief Jimmy Ubon Akpan, stated that the economy would not be complete without the efforts of journalists to nation building; thus there is the need for healthy living.
He noted that “We will like to suggest that there should be a structure on health to be instituted for journalists.
“Aside that of health insurance we also want to suggest that issues of insurance should be looked into as well .
“If you don’t check your health you would not know and that is the reason we are advocating for these benefits for journalists.
He said journalists are always at risk from one illness to the other, urging media practitioners; especially the news hunters to be health conscious.
While speaking about the veteran journalist who passed on recently, the Council’s boss called on maritime reporters to support and encourage the family of the deceased; he also lauded effort put in place by colleagues to pay their last tribute.
Health and care givers from Maritime agancies namely NPA, Shippers Council and NIMASA advised journalists to practice structured exercises as their daily activities in course of their job can not replace daily or weekly exercises which is necessary for healthy living.
Colleagues of the deseased from various media platform and angencies in their tributes elugised the virtures of the late Ubon and pray God for repose of his soul.
Two daughters of the deceased thanked all present for honoring their late father and pleaded that they should not be abandoned.
Asu Beks son, Pastor Asu Beks Jr, read his father’s tribute and explained that his father’s absence at the colloquium was due to health issues.
The importance of early medical check up by journalists was highlighted as media men were advised to take advantage of hospitals operated by maritime agencies for free medical checkup and exercises.
