By MEMBERS of the Fourth Estate of the Realm have been admonished to eschew the obnoxious habits of gossiping, backstabbing and backbiting, but rather work together for their welfare and professional uplift.
Veteran journalist and philanthropist, ‘Sola Adebayo, popularly known as Asiwaju, gave the admonition on Tuesday October 1 at Peb Global Hotel, Jeddo, Warri, Delta State.
Mr Adebayo, his wife, Dora and son at the event
The Oyo State-born former journalist with The Punch and other reputable national dailies was hosted and honoured by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, for his immense contributions to the welfare of fellow journalists and the growth of the profession.
He frowned at some journalists with the pastime of genuflecting and salivating after meagre gratification before writing and publishing stories for clients, saying such a mentality will only tend to more poverty and privation.
The Adebayos with Paul Bebenimibo, PhD (2nd from right) at the event
According to him, such primordial mode of thinking was not his preoccupation when he arrived in Delta State to practise journalism; reason for his upward movement financially.
“I came to Warri with a different approach to Journalism; not that l am better than everyone.
“If l write a story for you and you offer me money, l will say ‘no leave this money, can’t l do supply in your company?’
“The person would say, ‘as a journalist, what are you doing with supply?’
“Eventually, l would do the supply. This is how l was able to make supplies in NBTC and others in Warri,” he cited.
Adebayo, who led his siblings to organise a befitting 90th birthday for his mother in Ibadan in September with the likes of King Sunny Ade performing at the event, reiterated that stipends like N10,000 or N20,000 collected from clients for stories published cannot solve basic life challenges.
The Adebayos with members of the pen profession
He, therefore, urged his colleagues to have a bigger picture of breaking even in life by making a maximum use of their clients and contacts rather than running after stipends which further impoverishes them.
Adebayo also charged his fellow journalists to exploit their contacts in favour of their members, as well as work in synergy rather than envying themselves.
“If you have contact with any person, be it the police, navy, army, even governors, use such contact to better the lots of other members,” he admonished.
Mr Adebayo, who was accompanied to the event by his wife, son and friends, expressed excitement, but humbly quipped that his philanthropic gestures weren’t yet enough to engender the avalanche of encomiums showered on him.
From left, NUJ Delta State Council secretary and chairman, comrades Sorokwu and Oyowe at the event.
Stonix News reports that members of the pen profession present at the occasion had earlier taken time to eulogise the outstanding journalist fondly called Asiwaju (trailblazer).
He, however, promised to always identify with the union, disclosing that the noble profession is the avenue through which God elevated his social and financial status.
He vowed to continue to use his contacts to ensure that Warri Correspondents’ Chapel begins a welfare scheme for members as well as a befitting permanent Press Centre in Warri.
Addressing members of the chapel, too, wife of the celebrant, Mrs Dora Adebayo, harped on the need for members of the chapel to have a good heart and love for one another.
From left, Dele Fasan, Michael Ikeogwu, Victor Okpomor and Chief Akpokona Omafuaire at the event.
In his welcome address, the chairman, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Victor Okpomor, expressed gratitude over Adebayo’s benignity and benevolence towards welfare of members of the profession.
Comrade Okpomor, who led others to present a portrait to the honoured, prayed God to bless him and his family with good health and provision to do more for humanity.
“We deliberately set aside today to honour our own – a veteran journalist and philanthropist, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo.
“He has done immeasurably in advancing our noble profession Journalism – not only in Warri, Delta, but across the country.
“It is on record that he has always lent a helping hand psychologically, physically financially, morally and otherwise, to our members and chapel as a group,” the chairman
From Success Ose, Sonia Unobunjo, the celebrant, wife and son, Elo Edremoda (1st from right) at the event.
Besides media consultant to Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, Paul Bebenimibo who was conspicuously at the event, other dignitaries and members of the NUJ included chairman of the State Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, his vice, Comrade Felix Ekwu, the scribe, Comrade Victor Sorokwu, chairperson, NAWOJ Delta State, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo, immediate past NUJ chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, and John Glover of the DBS chapel.
Others 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, Christopher Eriyamremu and Onyeka Meluwa, among others.
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