For many journalists in Gombe, telling stories of health challenges in communities is a daily routine. But on Wednesday, they became the story themselves—rolling up their sleeves, checking vital signs, and confronting the truth about their own wellbeing.
It was a morning of reflection, relief, and renewed commitment as members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Council, gathered at the Gombe Media Corporation (GMC) for a medical outreach and tree-planting campaign, part of activities marking the 2025 Press Week.
For NUJ Chairman, Comrade Faruk Muazu Gombe, the moment was both symbolic and deeply personal.
“Journalists tell everyone else’s stories, but forget to take care of themselves,” he said, urging colleagues to embrace regular checkups and healthier lifestyles.
He commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for creating an environment that allows media workers to access medical services without barriers.
The outreach, which screened journalists for diabetes, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and other vitals saw an impressive turnout from chapels across the state. For many, it was their first test in years—and for others, a wake-up call.
Dr. Hannatu Maina, a Senior Registrar in the Chemical Pathology Department of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, said the exercise was crucial in helping journalists understand their health risks.
“Knowing your health status is the first step. The second is strictly adhering to medical advice,” she cautioned.
Among the partners supporting the initiative was AMKAMED Pharmacy, located opposite the Central Bank of Nigeria in Gombe.
Pharmacy technician Mohammed Sani Adams said their mission is to ensure easy access to medical services, including home delivery.
“Our goal is for people to have clear vision and a brighter future,” he said, noting that journalists, because of the pressures of their work, need consistent health monitoring.
But the day was not just about physical wellbeing—it was also about the environment. At a symbolic flag-off ceremony, Comrade Faruk led journalists, ACReSAL officials, and the Director General of GMC, Malam Ibrahim Isa, in planting trees around the corporation’s premises.
The NUJ chairman said the gesture underscored the role of citizens—especially media professionals—in promoting environmental protection.
“Planting a tree today means preserving life ,for tomorrow,” he added.
As the saplings took root, so did a renewed sense of purpose among journalists—of caring for themselves, caring for their environment, and strengthening the profession that demands so much of them.
In the end, it was more than an outreach. It was a reminder: journalists are human too, and their health—and their environment—matter just as much as the stories they tell.