Abeokuta — Lepers in Ogun on Tuesday called for an increase in their monthly stipend of N3,000, which the state government is paying them.

The spokesman of the lepers, Mr. George Odunawo, made the call when members of Ogun NUJ visited the lepers' settlement in Abeokuta as parts of activities marking the 2012 NUJ Press Week.

According to him, the lepers need better welfare package as well as improved living conditions.

"The government should not forget us here as most of us are aged.

Earlier, the Chairman of Ogun NUJ, Mr. Wole Sokunbi, said that it was important for government and public spirited individuals to come to the aid of the needy.

Also speaking, the chairperson of the press week committee, Mrs. Folake Adeniji, said the society needed to extend hands of fellowship to the lepers.

She, thereafter, handed over bags of rice, groundnut oil and toiletries to Odunawo.