Philanthropist and promoter of Okó Opó Foundation, Dr 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.
Adeyemo harped on the importance of always remembering the living and departed members of the journalism profession by asking after their family members and offering them necessary support and encouragement.
The 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, in Abeokuta, Ogun State to cater for the families of deceased journalists, particularly those that plied their trade in the state.
The event, which was chaired by human rights activist, lawyer, and former Editor of the Vanguard Newspaper, Richard Akinola, was graced by wife of former Nigerian president, 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 initiative provided 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 to God to grant him the vigour and energy to sustain the vision.
He explained that the Almighty Allah had a hand in the project, stressing that it was the reason God kept and preserved his life to accomplish the Oniroyin Support Initiative.
Describing it as something so dear to their heart, Adeyemo, who is the CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, said he exemplified such an initiative by establishing the Okó Opó Foundation to cater to widows, children, and the downtrodden in society.
He recalled that in the last 18 months, over 150 widows, including widows and children of some deceased journalists have been supported with monthly stipends,
urging well-meaning individuals to emulate what Okó Opó Foundation and Oniroyin Support Initiative are doing to lend helping hands to the loved ones left behind by the deceased journalists.
He said, “We will continue to remember our fallen heroes. The late journalists are heroes because, without this profession, people like me would not be where I am today. It is practically impossible.
“I would 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 a 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 prioritise their health above the practice.
The activist said he initiated a similar foundation about 15 years ago in Lagos for widows of journalists.
“So, when Oladunjoye told me about the initiative, I had to key into it. We take care of other people’s affairs but none of ours. Let us devote ample time to 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?” he queried.
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 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.
The convener, 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 programmes like insurance to give hope to the hopeless,” he said.
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 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.
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 programme 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, 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.
and then