A renowned Nigerian journalist Ambassador Tunde Oladunjoye on Monday revisited his initiative of support funds for families of late journalists, which re-awakened consciousness of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ).
Penpushing reports that Oladunjoye drew attention of leadership of the union to the initiative at the commencement of the 2023 Press Week of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Ogun State Council held at Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre located in Oke-Ilewo area of Abeokuta, the State Capital.
The seasoned journalist, however, used the opportunity to quickly activated his long-held wish in initiating a fund for the families of the deceased journalists in the state, and redeemed his earlier pledge with initial donation of N250,000
Penpushing further reports that Oladunjoye while speaking at the ceremony expressed concern over how late journalists are soon forgotten by colleagues, stressing on need by the union to always show care to the bereaved particularly how they are fairing after the lost of their loved ones
“My worry has always been that, after losing our colleagues, we will hold candlelight processions for them, print T-shirts and make emotional speeches at their funerals. But, what happens after that? Do we even visit or call the families. Do we know how the widows and children they leave behind are faring? Do we even know if they have rice to eat at festive periods?”, Oladunjoye emphasized
Penpushing also reports that he disclosed that he was inspired to initiate the fund following activities of a veteran journalist Richard Akinola, who he said remains his mentor and has similar arrangement for families of late journalists and activists in Lagos State
“Let me say that I was inspired to initiate the fund by the activities of Mr. Richard Akinnola, a veteran journalist and publisher who have similar arrangement for families of deceased journalists/activists in Lagos State since several years back”, Oladunjoye stated.
“This mentor of mine spends to the last digits in his bank account to cater for family of deceased colleagues. I have been trying my little bits over the years too, but I feel our union, the NUJ, should shoulder more of the responsibilities”, he emphasised
Penpushing reports that after Oladunjoye”s pronouncement the leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ)) Ogun State Council embraced the revived initiative to embark on the project without further delay, while the initiator pledged to get volunter donors for adequate support
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