Journalist Institutes N25m Endowment Fund for Colleagues in Warri

Sylvester Idowu in Warri 

Veteran journalist and businessman, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo, on Tuesday presented a N25 million cheque to Warri Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Delta State as endowment/welfare fund. 

The fund was raised by Adebayo within six weeks with his friends making generous donations to enhance the welfare of journalists in the oil city of Warri.

Presenting the cheque to the Chairman of Warri Correspondent’s Chapel Chairman, Comrade Okies Okpomor, Adebayo said it was part of his contributions to enhance the welfare of journalists in the state.

He charged the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the fund and called on practising journalists to make friends in the course of their practice and sustain the relationship.

He advised journalists to be dedicated and always uphold the tenets of the profession.

“As journalists, keep your friends. Journalism is a tool that makes you come in contact with people. Therefore, make friends and sustain the relationship. Develop core friendship and don’t sacrifice the ultimate for the immediate. I appeal to all of you to be responsible,” he said.

The renowned journalist and Chairman of Lawal Iyanda Farms recalled that the target for the project which commenced on October 1, 2024 was N10 million but expressed joy that the process was able to hit N25 million.

Adebayo expressed gratitude to his friends, associates and well-wishers for the success of the project, adding: “I want to sincerely appreciate all my friends who contributed generously towards this project. When we started the process, the target was N10 million. I am grateful, we exceeded the target.”

Presenting the dummy cheque of N25 million on behalf of Adebayo, the member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, called on the public and good spirited individuals to imbibe the culture of giving and assisting one another and groups.

The lawmaker, who was highly elated, noted that the ability to impact peoples lives was significant because a person would be remembered for his or her positive impact and legacies.

According to Ereyitomi, “Sola Adebayo has been a very good friend and we have been relating well. What we are doing here today is significant in the sense that it has to do with humanity.

“Service to humanity is very key because all of us will grow old and one day leave this planet. What will people say about you? Our ability to impact on others is very key. We need to be conscious of it,” he said.

Ereyitomi called on members of the chapel to ensure the judicious use of the fund to encourage the donors .

“When we see that this fund is put into judicious use, we will be encouraged. Now that Sola Adebayo has used this platform to impact, we expect that it will trickle down, to encourage us to do more. Not only for this profession but for others who also want to impact on humanity,” he said.

The member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency, Hon. Ben Etanabene, said that the project has not ended but a work in progress.

He recalled his relationship with Adebayo while he was the Chairman of PENGASSAN at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), noting that he was a controversial but compassionate journalist who stands for the truth and kindness at all times.

“This is just one accomplished means to actualize his dream of impacting on humanity. It is the journalism he is practising that brought all of us together and I am happy he is still maintaining the relationships with his base.

“His base has not changed. You can describe my friend as NUJ politician. I rejoice with all of you for this kind gesture. It has not ended, it is a process. Ensure judicious use of the money,” he advised.

The lawmaker said that government at all levels in the country had not shown concern for the welfare of the media in spite of their roles in shaping the society through agenda setting and others.

The member representing Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency in Ondo State, Hon. Donald Ojogo, also a journalist by profession, described journalism as a door opener.

He expressed gratitude to Adebayo for the noble gesture and urged members to, at all times, uphold the ethics of the journalism profession.

According to him, “It was a thing of joy when Asiwaju Adebayo called. For me it was not a request. Journalism opens doors, you can have access to ministers and establish contacts with them.”

The former South-south Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune recalled that Warri was operating like a state within a state, stressing that the oil-rich city was more of a melting pot between the South-west, South-east and South-south regions of the country.

The Chairman, Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Churchill Oyowe, said he hoped the money would not cause division among members of the chapel but rather, it should be revolving for the benefits of all.

“People should not feign challenges. It should be shared for genuine reasons. I beg of us, let this money not cause problem. Let it be revolving for the benefit of all of you. I thank all the good minded people and Asiwaju Adebayo for galvanising them for this noble gesture,” he said.

The Chairman, NUJ Warri Correspondents Chapel, Victor Okpomor, in his remark, said that the initiative kick-started on October 1, 2024 and, on behalf of the Chapel, expressed gratitude to Adebayo.

He described Adebayo as always a leading light who had transformed journalism.in Warri in particular, Delta State and Nigeria in general.