Gombe Govt disburses N14m to families of journalists killed in road accident

The Gombe State Government has released a total of N14 million as financial support to the families of seven journalists who lost their lives in a tragic road crash in the state.
DAILY POST reports that the journalists died on Monday while returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The funds were presented on Friday on behalf of Governor Inuwa Yahaya by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Abubakar Njodi, who disclosed that each affected family received N2 million.
Speaking during the presentation in Gombe, Prof Njodi described the gesture as a modest show of support to help the bereaved families cope with burial and immediate needs, adding that the incident had deeply shaken the state government.
He noted that the tragedy was particularly painful due to the number of journalists lost in a single accident, stressing that the deceased had played important roles in informing the public and supporting governance in the state.
“This incident touched us deeply,” Njodi said. “These were professionals we worked with regularly. They covered our activities, attended briefings, and contributed immensely to public communication in Gombe.
“We understand that no amount of money can replace the lives lost. However, Governor Inuwa Yahaya directed that this token be extended to the families to assist with burial arrangements and immediate challenges.”
Earlier, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya, expressed appreciation to the Gombe State Government for its swift support following the tragic accident.
He recalled similar fatal incidents involving journalists in Plateau, Akwa Ibom, and Adamawa states, lamenting the recurring risks media practitioners face while carrying out their professional duties.
Yahya stated the need for improved welfare, safety measures, and comprehensive insurance coverage for journalists nationwide, announcing that the NUJ plans to introduce a new insurance scheme by March to enhance the health and security of practising journalists.
Also speaking, the General Manager of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Gombe, Abubakar Adamu, described the incident as heartbreaking and commended the state government for standing by the families during what he termed a very painful period.
Gombe Govt disburses N14m to families of journalists killed in road accident