Gusau –  Nigeria Union of Journalists President, Mallam Muhammad Garba, Wednesday said only 7,000 out of  about 27,000 professional journalists in the country enrolled in the union’s insurance scheme.

The scheme, which was launched in December 2010 by the national leadership of the NUJ, provided journalists insurance cover in the event of  death, accidents and other professional hazards.

Garba told newsmen during a working visit to Zamfara that response to the scheme was not encouraging  in spite of adequate  enlightenment on its lofty package.

He urged journalists to take advantage of the scheme and plan ahead for any exigency.

“I know some traditional and religious inhibitions might have worked against the enrollment of some journalists in this part of the country.

“ We have, however, consulted widely with religious leaders and we were informed that religion is not against insurance,” he said.