By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
ABEOKUTA: A philanthropist and promoter of Okó Opó Foundation, Ambassador Babatunde Adeyemo has described deceased journalists as ‘fallen heroes,’ who are worthy of remembrance for all their sacrifices towards enthroning a just and egalitarian society.
Ambassador Adeyemo harped on the importance of always remembering the living and departed members of the noble pen profession by asking after their family members, and offering them necessary support and encouragement.
The timely advice came on the heels of the launch of Oniroyin Support Initiatives, OSI, a project of an activist journalist and Onigegewura of Ijebuland, Chief Tunde Oladunjoye at the Basic Trust Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital to cater for the families of departed journalists, particularly those that plied their trade in the state.
The launch on Thursday, February 27 and chaired by Human rights activist, lawyer and former Editor of the Vanguard Newspaper, Richard Akinola, was graced by Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo, Head of Service of Ogun State, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, veteran journalist and unionist, Funke Fadugba, and a host other dignitaries.
The succour – giving Oniroyin Support Initiatives witnessed the mobilisation of human and material resources to put smiles on the faces of families of some decesed journalists.
The beneficiaries were supported with cash gifts and free medical screenings for non – communicable diseases such as High Blood Pressure (BP/hypertension) and diabetes.
Adeyemo who lauded the initiative, commended the initiator, Tunde Oladunjoye and prayed God to grant him the vigour and energy to sustain the vision.
He explained that the Almighty Allah has a hand in the project, stressing that was the reason He kept and preserve Oladunjoye’s life to accomplish the Oniroyin Support Initiative.
Describing it as something so dear to his heart, Adeyemo who is the CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Nigerian top – notch real estate firm, said he exemplified the initiative by establishing Okó Opó Foundation to cater for the widows, children and the downtrodden members of the society.
He recalled that in the last 18 months, over 150 widows, including widows and children of some decesed journalists have been supported with monthly stipends, urging well meaning individuals to emulate what the two NGOd by lending helping hands to the loved ones left behind by late journalists.
He said, “This foundation is very dear to me. I think I have exemplified that by establishing Okó Opó Foundation. By the way when I came here, somebody asked ‘Why I was still wearing armed forces remembrance tag, this has expired now.’
“I said ‘No, there is no expiry date to how we will continue to remember our fallen heroes.’ And this occasion is one. We will continue to remember our fallen heroes. The late Journalists are heroes because without this profession people like me will not be where I am today. It is practically impossible.
“I will like to urge all of us to emulate this gesture. I have done that by empowering almost 150 widows, we have paid some of our late journalists’ spouses monthly stipend for about a year and half now. We have done a bit of sponsoring some of our widows and children.
“I will continue to do that by the grace of God. We are still going to integrate widows of some of our fallen heroes into the Okó Opó Foundation and we will be working in partnership with you. I will support and continue to support you in this initiative.”
Speaking earlier, Richard Akinnola charged journalists to always prioritize their health above the practice.
The Human rights activist who was the Chairman of the occasion, said he initiated a similar foundation about 15 years ago in Lagos for the widows of journalists.
“So, when Oladunjoye told me about the initiative I have to key into it. We take care of other people’s affairs but none of ours,let us devote ample time for the medicals.
“Journalists chase headlines, in our own case we don’t bother. We need to change, because by the time the chips are down who will be there for us?”
In the same vein, the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya disclosed that Governor Dapo Abiodun places the welfare of journalists working in the state at the forefront of every consideration.
Onasanya added that the governor had, on many occasions, silently intervened and come to the rescue of many journalists in the state to ameliorate critical situations and provide succour.
“Our amiable governor had, in the past, settled hospital bills, rendered assistance towards medication and surgery for sick journalists in the state, as well as provided support to the families of deceased journalists to offer them succor.
“Some of the families of the deceased present in this auditorium have continued to appreciate the state government for this gesture,” he said.
According to him, journalists play an indispensable role in sustaining society; yet their sacrifices often go unnoticed, which has often resulted in incapacitation, hence, the need to ensure their well-being and that of their families, especially in times of need.
“Journalism is a noble profession, but it’s not without challenges. Journalists are often exposed to occupational hazards, including threats to their lives, job insecurity, poor remuneration, harassment, censorship, persecution, mental and emotional strain, and even death.
“When these occur, it is high time we take bold steps in addressing these concerns and ensure better welfare for those who dedicate their lives to informing the public and their immediate family in the event of any misfortune,” Onasanya added.
He stressed that the unfortunate reality is that a good number of journalists labour tirelessly but often lack the financial security to care for their families when misfortune strikes. This situation, he said, necessitates the collective efforts of society to consider sustainable ways to support media practitioners and their families.
Mr. Onasanya commended the convener, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, for initiating the noble idea to cater for journalists in need and their spouses in case of death. He, therefore, charged all stakeholders; private sector, philanthropists, corporate organizations, and well-meaning individuals to see the initiative as a collective responsibility.
The convener of the program, Ambassador Oladunjoye, said the initiative is a personal drive to give back to the profession that made him, adding that journalists advocate for others but often fail to report their own plight.
“We need to show more empathy, be each other’s keepers, and I plead that people should assist journalists with solid programs like insurance to give hope to the hopeless,” he said.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Richard Akinnola said the initiative is dear to his heart, hence his desire to be present physically despite a minor challenge he was experiencing. He added that journalists and their families should be assisted in living better lives.
Earlier in her welcome address, a two-term chairperson of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State chapter, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Oniroyin Support Initiative, Mrs. Funke Fadugba stated that journalists go through pains when they cover traumatic events and face psychological challenges, often having nobody to speak for them.
She emphasized that the initiative is established to take care of them and their relatives.
In their separate goodwill messages, the wife of a former President of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, and a veteran journalist, Mr. Eddy Aina said the program is timely and would surely wipe away tears from the eyes of the widows and their dependents, urging well-meaning Nigerians to embrace and support the initiative.
Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Motunrayo Lanrewaju, widow of Kolade Lanrewaju of the Vanguard Newspaper and Mr. Taofeek Sokunbi, brother to a sick information officer from the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Com. Ismail Sokunbi thanked the convener of the programme for coming to their aid in their times of need and prayed that God would provide for the needs of the convener and the donors.
