By Sani Yarima
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Taraba State Council visited the Worldview Magazine Chapel to extend their condolences to Comrade Jethro Yerga, Assistant Secretary of the State Council, following the passing of his father, Pa Simon Yerga. The solemn event took place at the Worldview Magazine Conference Hall in Jalingo, the state’s capital.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the State Council, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen, expressed heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Yerga, emphasizing the union’s solidarity during moments of grief. “An injury to one is an injury to all,” Comrade Jen stated, reaffirming the council’s commitment to standing by its members in times of both joy and sorrow. He also prayed for strength for the Yerga family during this difficult period.
In response, an emotional Comrade Jethro Yerga thanked the council for their support, explaining the deep pain his family is going through, exacerbated by their continued displacement due to the crisis in their hometown. He revealed that his father, who died at the age of 86, had left behind 27 children and over 90 grandchildren.
“Ordinarily, the demise of our father would have called for celebration because he has lived a fulfilled life,” said Yerga. “But we are in pain because his death has come too suddenly, and at a time when we are still in refuge. We hope to bury him in Rafinka Ward, Wukari LGA, but the ongoing crisis makes this impossible.”
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Yerga made an emotional appeal to the media to bring attention to their plight: “We will have to buy a piece of land to bury our father if we can’t find a way to take him home. I want to appeal to the media to re-echo our voice so that the necessary authorities will help us lay our father beside his late parents.”
The condolence visit was further marked by goodwill messages from other members of the NUJ and its affiliates, including SWAN Taraba Chapter Chairman Sani Yarima, National Board of Trustees Zone E member Lynn Adda, and Worldview Magazine Managing Editor Simon Ira Maiyaki. They all urged Yerga to stay strong and united with his family in these challenging times.
Earlier, Yeri Akila Yerima, Chairman of the Worldview Magazine Chapel, commended Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen’s administration, describing it as people-oriented. He prayed for wisdom and strength for the NUJ leadership while pledging the Chapel’s support.
Editor-in-Chief of Worldview Magazine, Mr. William Ayooso, praised the NUJ State Council for consistently standing by its members and pledged the magazine’s continued collaboration with the council in promoting Governor Agbu’s administration in Taraba State.
The event concluded with a group photograph of the NUJ team, marking the end of the heartfelt visit.