Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, says members of the union in the state would be given three days free medical test bid for August 26, 27 and 28.
The chairman disclosed in Benin on Friday when executive and members of the Edo Broadcasting Service, EBS, chapel paid him a courtesy visit at the conference room of the council’s secretariat in Benin.
While noting that he takes members’ welfare paramount, the chairman said this was to reduce death rates among members and to ensure they are in sound health while they go about their professional jobs on daily basis.
Comrade Alenkhe who said arrangement had been perfected with Edo State Ministry of Health for the three days free medical tests, noted that journalists work under pressure as a result of the demand of the profession.
“Starting from August 26 to 28, we are starting a free medical test here at the press centre. We have reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health to that effect. We need to know our health status as journalists even as we go after the news on daily basis. So, medical doctors of international standard are coming here to carry out all sorts of tests on our members. After the test, those that need more medical attention would be referred to necessary medical facilities,” he added.
Speaking on other activities mapped out for members of the council, the Edo NUJ Chairman said arrangement had been also perfected to take members who have shown interest on foreign trips to the United State of America and Germany.
Seated at the conference centre are members of the union
He said: “During our electioneering, one of the promises we made was to take our members on foreign tour. In line with this, we made arrangement with the Nigeria Immigration Service in Edo for a quick passport processing, and today, all members that applied have gotten their international passports. More so, those that applied for our foreign trips will soon embark on it. They are going to the US and Germany.”
Earlier, chairman, EBS chapel of the NUJ, Oliver Ijiogbe, lauded the council Chairman for the unprecedented work done in the council within the short period of time he assumed office.
While expressing his chapel commitment to supporting the chairman and his executive, Comrade Ijiogbe pleaded to the council’s Chairman who incidentanlly is from the EBS chapel to show him the model he (Alenkhe) applied in achieving such giant stride within the short time so he can replicate such in his chapel