By Ayo Arowojolu
Thursday 27th February 2025 will forever remain indelible in the annals of journalism profession particularly in Ogun State where the Oniroyin Support Initiative(OSI), founded by a veteran journalist, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, put smiles on the faces of colleagues in the pen profession, specifically those with life-threatening medical challenges and widows of late journalists.
Indeed, it was a timely intervention with the official launching of the Oniroyin Support Initiative which was performed by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya.
A coterie of prominent personalities graced the event. Leading the pack was Chief Mrs Bola Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr Richard Akinola who chaired the event, veteran journalist, CEO of Pelican Estates, Mr Babatunde Adeyemo, Mr Eddie Aina and former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Lagos Chapter, Mrs Olufunke Fadugba among others.
During the programme, a total of over 30 people received cheques of various amount, among them widows of deceased journalists and also those having critical conditions or facing economic challenges.
The Promoter of the initiative, Ambassador Tunde Oladunjoye who is also Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Party in the state expressed gratitude to God for empowering him to empower others, saying it was a long time dream come into reality.
Oladunjoye said: “The idea is borne by my need to give back to the constituency that produced me. Whatever I am today is ascribed to journalism and if I come to this world several times again, I will want to be a journalists.
“I was also spurred by the poor conditions of service of many of my colleagues while still alive, let alone the almost total abandonment of their dependents when the bread winners are no more.
“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”.
Flagging up the empowerment programme, the Head of Service in Ogun State, Mr Kehinde Onasanya said the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was mindful of the welfare of journalists in the state, lamenting that they sacrificed for the society and never get much in return especially with most media organizations not regularly paying them salaries.
Onasanya said: ”Journalism is a noble profession, but it is not without challenges. Journalists are often exposed to occasional hazards, including threats to their lives, 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 dedicated their lives to informing the public and their immediate family in the event of any misfortune”.
Also speaking, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, was of the conviction that the launching of Oniroyin Support Initiative will take widows of deceased journalists in the state out of poverty.
According to her, the Initiative would awaken hope and succour for wives of late journalists in the state especially at this period of economic hardship.
She noted that the initiative would also go a long way to support the widows in taking care of their children needs and education as well as aiding their businesses to improve their living conditions and eradicate poverty.
Mrs Obasanjo called on well meaning Nigerians to emulate Comrade Oladundoye’s gesture in supporting widows across the country with cash and other means of assistance, maintaining that God never forget kindness shown to widows.
Mrs Obasanjo stressed: “I must also commend him for his passion, dedication and generosity of spirit and commitment in uplifting and impacting the lives of women and less privileges. I will on this occasion ask good-spirited individuals particularly worthy Nigerians to cultivate the habit of helping one another most especially the widows. By doing these, we are eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality and fostering economic growth.
Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Richard Akinnola said he was happy to be part of the initiative as it would go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of widows of late journalists and their children.
