Government at all levels have been urged to extend palliatives to media professionals in the country to help cushion the effects of the lockdown occasioned by the outbreak of the coronavirus.
A former lawmaker in the Imo State House of Assembly Chief Innocent Ekeh made the call while donating personal protective equipment to journalists in Imo State.
He said journalists were among professionals in the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and called on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support them especially now that the world is battling global emergency.
Chief Ekeh who represented Owerri West Constituency explained that he decided to donate his widow’s mite in appreciation of the unique and indispensable roles of journalists in achieving a better society.
The Chairman Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Imo state Chapter Mr Steve Uzoechi thanked the former lawmaker for remembering members of the fourth estate of the realm at this challenging period.
He maintained that journalists in the country were operating under the harsh economic environment with many of them either owed arrears of salaries or not pay-rolled.
Mr Uzoechi assured that correspondents in the state would continue to maintain a high professional standard in the discharge of duties.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent reports that items donated include face masks, detergents, hand sanitizers and a token.