Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, a senior media consultant to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called on the body of journalists, practitioners and friends of the noble pen profession that are alive not to neglect or forget children left behind by their deceased colleagues.
Oladunjoye who expressed the concern that the families of late colleagues were almost totally neglected and forgotten once their remains were interred, appealed to those alive today to always remember the surviving members of late journalists’ families, especially the children, for referrals, employment, internship and mentoring in addition to financial support.
The veteran journalist made the appeal at Iwe Iroyin Press Centre of the Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union Journalists, Abeokuta, the state capital, while marking his remarks during the inauguration of Management Committee and Advisory Council for Ogun NUJ Support Fund for Deceased Journalists’ Families on Thursday, February 15.
Former Chairman of the State Council of NUJ, and former permanent secretary, Mr. Demola Badejo chairs the management committee.
Other members of the management committee are a two time Executive Member of the the Union and Permanent Secretary in Ogun State, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, Doyin Jibowo, Mrs. Doyin Oloruntola of the National Association of Women Journalists, Ogun State Chapter, NUJ Chairman; Com. Wale Olanrewaju, Secretary, Com. Bumming Adigun and the Treasurer.
The Advisory Council is chaired by veteran journalist and royal father, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye while other members include a former chairman of the Ogun NUJ,
Mr Eddie Aina, former council chairman, CEO of Rockcity FM, Mr Niran Malaolu, radio broadcaster and founder of Women Radio, WFM 97.1, Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaya and former presidential spokesman, Mr. Reuben Abati are other members of the advisory council while the NUJ. Chairman will also serve as the Secretary of the advisory council.
Oladunjoye who also doubles as a member of the advisory council, recalled that the committees that were inaugurated were his cherished initiatives for a long time and derived from personal experience in the industry where salaries were not paid regularly, where journalists were expected by many employers to use unethical means to survive and where the working condition was tough, mean and brutish; and remained largely the same today.
The veteran journalist said that it was his humble desire to continue to give back to the profession that made him, recalling that this informed why he made the seed grant of N250, 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira) at the initial stage of the initiative which his friend Hon. Lanre Oyegbola, saw and supported with a donation of N100, 000.
He said, “Families of our late colleagues are almost totally neglected. We do not seem to remember them once our colleagues are buried. While not blaming us for the painful neglect, as those of us alive are even managing to cope with the harsh working environment in the industry, I believe we must consciously create and support a structure that will take care of the families of late colleagues.
“This is not about money alone, some of the members of families of our late colleagues are looking for referrals, employment, internship, mentoring and so on. Some of these needed assistance are being freely provided by our members and our veterans to other people. We, therefore, need the prompts to include families of our late colleagues.”
Continuing, he added: “I am very happy that the NUJ cooperated with me and we jointly nominated and agreed on members of the management committee and the advisory council. I harbour no doubt, whatsoever, on the ability, capability and integrity of the members. I urge the present executive members of NUJ to cooperate fully with members of the management committee and the advisory council to ensure success of the initiative.
“The day I made the seed grant of N250, 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira), a friend of mine, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola, sent a donation of N100, 000 (one hundred thousand naira) to me, which I promptly forwarded to the account of NUJ, making N350,000 (Three hundred and fifty thousand naira in the kitty). I therefore want to thank Hon. Oyegbila for his support. He is ready to do more. Some people, including senior colleagues have contacted me too. I also expect NUJ to make huge donation to this fund.
“The Chairman of the management committee, Barrister Demola Badejo, has informed me that an account will be open for the fund in the next one week. It is, therefore, my joy to announce additional donation of N250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira), to the fund, which I will credit to its designated account, once opened.”
