The Minister of Information has claimed that Nigerian journalists work in the most challenging conditions and should have improved working conditions, as he agrees that they deserve better income in their field of work.
This was revealed to the public in an interview by Mohammed Idris in Abuja.
Mr. Idris promised to use the resources at his disposal to improve the plight of journalists, noting that some had paid the ultimate price while performing their professions.
The minister emphasized why the government cannot just single out journalists on the issue of wage increases; it is important to look at the peculiarities of the profession and try to address them.
Mr. Idris also stated that journalists also belong to the Nigerian state, adding that the nation has its peculiarities in how it grades workers in terms of their salaries and wages.
The Minister of Information said, “Peculiarity allowance for journalists is a contentious issue. However, we all agree that journalists need to be encouraged and pay their dues. This is because they are working under and during the most difficult times, and sometimes they pay the supreme price just like members of our armed forces.
Many a time, you see journalists being embedded with members of the armed forces when they go to fight insurgents in the country, and many of them come back with injuries. You saw what happened recently in Zamfara, where a journalist lost his life because of the activities of bandits. These are not desirable things, and every minister of information would want to see that this comes to an end.”
“I advocate that journalists should live better. I am also conscious of the fact that they operate within the confines of our economic boundaries. It is, therefore, necessary that we look, not in part, but in whole, to see that, at the end of the day, we are also seen to be responsible citizens of the country.” He concluded.