From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kebbi State Council, has distributed bags of rice and cash to 18 families of the deceased members of the Union who died during their active service in the State.
Acting Chairman of the Council in the State, Mallam Garba Muhammad Yeldu,while presenting the items to the family of the deceased members in Birnin Kebbi,noted that the gesture was to cushion the effects of the economy hardship in the country.
He said: ” this programme ought to have taken place on the first day of Ramadan but due to circumstances beyond our control, God has destined that it will be held today.
“We are considering large families with a bag of rice and small families will go home with N15,000 cash”.
Yeldu who commended various organisations and companies like Labana Rice Mill,Gaanou Parboiled Rice for partners with the NUJ council, said their partnership would go along way to alleviate the hardship of the families of the deceased members.
In his remark, the Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris described the gesture as nice gesture especially during the month of Ramadan fasting.
He disclosed when he informed the Governor,Dr. Nasir Idris and Secretary to the State Government (SSG),Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida about the NUJ programme, they were delighted about the Council humanitarian gestures extended to the families of the deceased members.
Ahmed pledged the commitment of the State Government to the welfare of the journalists in the state and prayed to Almighty God to grant the departure souls Alijanah Firdausi and families left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.