Media consultant sets up N10m scheme for journalists in Delta

Barely a month after he celebrated his nonagenarian mother with a birthday bash in Ibadan, media consultant, ‘Sola Adebayo, has established a N10 million scheme for the welfare of journalists in Delta State.

The journalist and serial entrepreneur made the disclosure when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, feted him on Independence Anniversary Day as a show of appreciation for his philanthropic gestures.

The event held on Tuesday October 1, at Peb Global Hotel in Jeddo, Okpe, Delta State.

The welfare scheme, a somewhat novelty in the journalism space in recent times, is specifically designed for members of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.

Adebayo, popularly known as Asiwaju (trailblazer), was accompanied to the event by his wife, Dora, son, Tope, and friends.

Speaking at the event, Mr Adebayo noted that he has no regret being a journalist, humbly admitting that the profession has been good to him.

The Oyo State-born veteran, who had earlier made an initial N1 million donation to the scheme, later pledged to make it N10 million by the end of November with tacit support from his friends and associates.

He said the initiative would enable the chapel to promptly address health and other challenges confronting journalists in the state.

Adebayo, who expressed appreciation to members of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel for the honour done him, also donated N500,000 to the State Council of NUJ and another sum to a member.

He said he would continue to identify with the NUJ, which he described as his “roots,” and encouraged colleagues to have alternative means of generating income.

“So far so good, there is no regret being a journalist. If I still come over and over again, I will still like to become a journalist.

“I want our people to try as much as possible to always have option B in this job.

“If people are calling you today, it’s because you are still relevant.

“We are going to do a welfare package for the Warri press. Anytime we have issues, we are going to have a dedicated fund that we go to.

“Between now and end of November, I will use my friends to generate N̈10 million,” he pledged.

He, however, enjoined members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to synergise as well as help one another where possible.

“Let us work together. If you know any of your colleagues that has potential, tap from that potential instead of gossiping and backbiting him,” he admonished.

On her part, Mrs Dora Adebayo enjoined journalists to entertain the fear of God and imbibe the spirit of togetherness in order to succeed in life.

Speaking separately at the event, the state chairman of NUJ, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, National Ex-Officio of NUJ, Comrade Micheal Ikeogwu, and chairman of the Warri Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Victor Okpomor, lauded Adebayo for his unremitting philanthropic gestures towards journalists in the state.

The ceremony had in attendance a former IPMAN, Chief Edafevwotu Samson Akpos; Media consultant, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo; Delta NUJ Vice Chairman, Comrade Felix Ekwu; Delta NUJ Secretary, Comrade Victor Sorokwu; Delta State chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Sonia Unobunjo and Pastor John Glover, chairman of the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Warri chapel.

Members of the Warri Correspondents Chapel also in attendance were Emmanuel Ogoigbe, Dele Ogunyemi, Dele Fasan, Idowu Sylvester, Comrade Gbenga Ahmed, Chief Akpokona Omafuaire, Joe Ogbodu, Mrs Elo Edremoda, Theophilus Onojeghen, Ogbeya Ogbetuo, Ben Dunno and Onyeka Meluwa, among others.

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