The Lagos Journalists League (LJL), a group of conscientious journalists operating in Lagos has mourned the deaths of seven journalists who died within a spate of a week in Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Lagos by the group’s acting Secretary, Enitan Olukotun, the League described deaths as painful and regrettable.
“The League is pained that these losses occurred during this most critical period in the history of media in Nigeria when journalists had lost their jobs and few who miraculously escaped the hammer are compelled to take drastic pay cuts because of the debilitating impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the media business”, Olukotun lamented .
The group commiserates with families of the deceased journalists and urged them to take solace in the fact that their loved ones added great value to the quality of life of Nigerians using their pens. Which is a worthy legacy.
The LJL also urged journalists to take special interest in their health by doing basic health checks regularly adding that extra precautionary measures should be taken while on the field in protecting themselves against virulent Coronavirus.
The League also disclosed that it shall be holding a webinar on health for practicing journalists in Lagos.
‘ As a league we are deeply concerned about the plights of journalists practicing in Lagos and in Nigeria by extension.
‘ We have assembled renowned health experts who shall be educating our colleagues on certain health dangers they need to urgently address before they spiral out of control.
‘ For instance high blood pressure is a silence killer that many of our colleagues hardly pay attention to
‘ We also understand that the times are hard . We urge Journalists not to die in silence and reach out for help when are hard pressed.
“The LJL has been helpful in this regard in the past just as we distributed palliatives to distraught colleagues during the lockdown”. Olukotun stated.
