By Oghenefejiro Emado
09, May 2026
Journalists in Delta State on Thursday honored Mr. Benson Iziama, Deputy Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), as he retired from federal service after reaching the statutory age of 60.
Iziama, who headed the NAN Niger Delta Bureau in Asaba since 2021, was celebrated at a send-forth ceremony organized by the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where he was a member.
The event drew journalists, media executives, and correspondents from various chapels. In attendance were NUJ Delta State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe; Delta Online Publishers Forum Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Enebeli; former NUJ Chairman, Osita Biose; and other media stakeholders.
In his remarks, NUJ Chairman Churchill Oyowe urged journalists to view retirement as a time of rest and fulfillment after years of active service.
He expressed concern that many journalists are forced to keep working post-retirement due to poor welfare and inadequate financial support.
“There are professions with laws that protect their unions and interests, but journalism operates on ethics, not laws,” Oyowe said. He called for a regulatory council to strengthen journalism practice in Nigeria and safeguard practitioners’ welfare.
Oyowe also pushed for continuous professional development beyond university education, stressing that additional training would improve professionalism in the sector. “Retirement is not a death sentence but a time for joy and settlement — a period to reconnect with friends and family,” he said, while wishing Iziama divine protection and provision in his new phase of life.
Earlier, Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman and host, Comrade Ifeanyi Olannye, described retirement as a natural stage in professional life where a worker formally withdraws from active service due to age, health, or reduced capacity.
Olannye praised Iziama as a “supportive and reliable boss,” commending his leadership and professional relationship with staff. He noted that despite rank differences, he enjoyed mutual respect while working with Iziama.
“Journalism is calculative and brain-tasking. It’s intellectual property that no one can truly pay for,” Olannye said. He urged relevant authorities to improve welfare structures for journalists to ensure a comfortable life after retirement.
He lamented that poor remuneration and weak pension packages force many journalists to continue chasing stories after retirement. “After retirement, no journalist should still be conducting interviews and scouting for news everywhere. But because of poverty and inadequate pay, they find it hard to settle down. Journalists should be given adequate gratuity and pension at retirement,” he added.
Responding, Iziama thanked the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel for the honor, describing the send-off as a show of true comradeship, friendship, and professional solidarity. “The degree of sacrifice, support, presence, and availability was unprecedented,” he said.
He appreciated the NUJ Chairman, his DOPF counterpart, and other journalists for celebrating him, praying for continued blessings upon them and pledging to remain grateful for their support.
Highlights of the ceremony included testimonies, goodwill messages from colleagues, and the presentation of gifts to the celebrant.
