Chairman, Kogi Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Adeiza Momoh- Jimoh on Wednesday, appealed to Gov. Yahaya Bello to urgently pay salary arrears of late Nathaniel Drisu, a Chief Correspondent with Kogi-owned Graphic Newspaper.
Momoh-Jimoh who made the appeal at the burial ceremony of the deceased journalist at Odu-Ofomu in Dekina Local Government of the state said that the payment would ameliorate the hardships experienced by the immediate family.
The late Drisu born on Sept. 24, 1963 and was a graduate of Literature, Ahmad Bello University, Zaria.
He died on Aug. 10, survived by an aged mother, wife and three children.
Momoh-Jimoh said that the appeal for payment of the salary arrears and consolidated benefits to the deceased journalist’s family had become necessary.
“My appeal today, is that Kogi State Government should, as a matter of urgency, pay the accumulated salaries owed Mr Drisu to the immediate family to cushion the effects of this sudden and painful death’’, he said.
The chairman advised working journalists in the state and friends of the deceased not to abandon the family but accord the family necessary support as a demonstration of love for the fallen colleague.
Momoh-Jimoh described Drisu’s death as a big blow to the journalism profession in the state, saying that the deceased was gentle, trustworthy and unassuming professional who brought his wealth of experience to bear on his profession.
Earlier in his homily, Rev. Fr Michael Osannaiye, Assistant Parish Priest, St. Michael, Raphael and Gabriel Catholic Church, Gadumo-Lokoja, reminded Christians on the need to always be prepared for death to meet with their creator through righteous living.
Osannaiye explained that no one knew when death would strike but emphasised that Jesus Christ remained the hope of all believers.
He described the world as a marketplace, stressing that every flesh shall return to the dust and enjoined the congregation to be constantly aware that death is inevitable.
Osannaiye described the late journalist as one whose commitment in the church would be greatly missed and urged his family to lend a helping hand in bringing up the children he left behind.