The journalists in Delta on Thursday celebrated and poured out enconmuim on Mr Benson Iziama, Deputy Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on his successful retirement from the Federal service.
Iziama, the Head, NAN Niger Delta Bureau, Asaba.Office, who assumed duty in the bureau in 2021, bowed out after attainment of 60 years from active service to the nation.
Consequently, journalists took their turns to speak on his affection, passion and dedication at a send forth organised by the Asaba Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalist((NUJ), a fellowship where he was domiciled.
At the event, journalists, media executives, correspondents’ of various chapels and the NUJ State Council scribes led by its Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, the State Chairman , Delta Online publishers Forum, Comrade Emmanuel Enebeli, Ex-Chairma NUJ, Osita Biose, others were in attendance.
In his remarks, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Churchill Oyowe, urged journalists to embrace retirement as a period of rest and fulfilment after years of active service.
He expressed concern that many journalists continue working beyond retirement due to inadequate welfare and financial support.
“There are professions that have laws guiding their union and their interests are protected by law, but in journalism they work with ethics and not laws,” he said.
Oyowe called for the establishment of a regulatory council to strengthen journalism practice in Nigeria and protect the welfare of practitioners.
He also advocated continuous professional development for journalists beyond university education, noting that additional training would enhance professionalism in the sector.
According to him, “Retirement is not a death sentence, but a time for joy and settlement, a period to unite with friends and relations to fill the void, while wishing the celebrate the best of his new life and God’s divine protection and provision.
Earlier, the Chairman, Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel and the Host, Comrade Ifeanyi Olannye, described retirement as the formal withdrawal of a worker from active service, noting that it represents a natural stage in professional life.
“Retirement is the withdrawal of one’s position from active working life; many workers retire due to age, health challenges, or reduced capacity to function effectively,” he said.
Olannye described Mr Iziama as a “supportive and reliable boss,” commending his leadership style and professional relationship with members of staff.
He noted that despite being subordinate in rank, he enjoyed a respectful working relationship with his retired boss.
According to Olannye, journalism is very calculative and brain-tasking, it is an intellectual property that nobody can actually pay for.
He, therefore, called the authorities concern to considered a better and improved welfare structures for journalists to enable happy life after retirement.
He stressed that practitioners have been compelled to remain active in the field even after retirement due to poor remuneration and pension packages.
“After retirement, no journalist is supposed to continue with conducting interviews, scouting for news everywhere but because of poverty and inadequate remuneration, they find it difficult settlement down after retirement.
“Journalists should be given adequate gratuity and pension at retirement,” he added.
In his response, Mr Iziama expressed deep appreciation to members of the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel for organising the send-off ceremony in his honour.
He described the gesture as a demonstration of true comradeship, friendship, and professional solidarity.
“The degree of sacrifice, support, presence and availability was unprecedented,” he said.
Iziama thanked the NUJ Chairman, his counterpart in DOPF, and other journalists for celebrating him in a memorable way.
He prayed for continued blessings upon all, noting that he would remain grateful for their support.
The highpoint of the occasion were testimonies, good will messages from journalists and presentation of gifts to the celebrant.
