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The financial plight of Nigerian journalists has come to the forefront, thanks to the impassioned advocacy of Ibrahim Musa Kallah, the former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Deputy Governor Mannir Yakubu.
During a recent session in Katsina, Kallah made a fervent plea for the establishment of a special salary scale for journalists, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
Kallah’s advocacy sheds light on the stark realities faced by journalists in Nigeria, who are struggling to make ends meet with their current earnings. “The salary of a journalist in Nigeria falls short of affording even a single bag of rice,” Kallah stated, painting a grim picture of the economic challenges within the media sector.
Despite these challenges, Kallah was quick to recognize the exceptional caliber of Nigerian journalists, lauding them as some of the world’s best. He celebrated their pivotal role in championing democratic governance and their relentless pursuit of truth and accountability.
The call to action is clear: Kallah urges both the government and private media entities to acknowledge the critical role journalists play in society and to take immediate steps to enhance their welfare. By doing so, they will not only be supporting the individuals who tirelessly work to inform the public but also reinforcing the pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.
Kallah’s message is a rallying cry for change, aiming to spark a national conversation on the economic well-being of journalists and, by extension, the health of the nation’s democratic institutions.