Governor Bala Mohammed has approved N13 million as a support package for the family and burial of Kani Ben, a cameraman with Channels Television who died after a road accident in Bauchi State.
The governor announced the approval during a condolence visit to the journalist’s residence in Bauchi.
He said N3 million was approved to support burial rites scheduled for Saturday in Adamawa State, while N10 million was set aside for the immediate upkeep of Mr. Ben’s family.
Ben died in the early hours of Sunday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, nine days after sustaining spinal cord injuries in the crash.
He was among 13 journalists involved in the accident on February 6 along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The journalists were covering the inspection and commissioning of projects executed by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).
The delegation was led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle conveying the journalists attempted to overtake a convoy, veered off the road and somersaulted.
Several occupants were thrown out, while others sustained head injuries, bruises and fractures.
Ben, who was seated in the front, underwent surgery a day after the crash but later died while receiving treatment.
The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had announced his death in a statement signed by its Council Secretary, Isah Gadau.
The union suspended its planned congress scheduled for February 16.
During the condolence visit, Bala Mohammed said Ben died in active service.
He also confirmed the dismissal of the bus driver, citing reckless driving as the cause of the accident.
“Mistakes of this magnitude cannot be forgiven; the driver has to be made to face the consequences of his actions,” the governor said.
Kani Ben is survived by his wife and two children.
