A former Vanguard Newspaper Editor Richard Akinnola has charged journalists to always prioritize their health above the practice.
Akinnola gave the the admonition on Thursday at the launching of Oniroyin Support Initiatives,OSI, and distribution of Cash gift to families of departed Journalists, held at the Basic Trust Centre, Oke - ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.
The Human rights activist who was the Chairman of the occasion while addressing the gathering, said he initiated a similar foundation in Lagos for widows of Journalists that would be 15 years in April.
" So, when Oladunnoye told me about the initiative I have to key into it. We take care of other people's affairs but none of ours,let us devote ample time for the medicals"
" Journalists chase headlines, in our own case we don't bother. We need to change , because by the time the chips are down who will be there for us?
He added that journalists and their families should be assisted in living better lives.
Addressing the gathering,Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya disclosed that Governor Dapo Abiodun places the welfare of journalists working in the state at the forefront of every consideration.
He added that the governor had, on many occasions, silently intervened and come to the rescue of many journalists in the state to ameliorate critical situations and provide succour.
He called for the support of families of journalists, stressing the need for a safe society for the pen professionals.
"Our amiable governor had, in the past, settled hospital bills, rendered assistance towards medication and surgery for sick journalists in the state, as well as provided support to the families of deceased journalists to offer them succor.
"Some of the families of the deceased present in this auditorium have continued to appreciate the state government for this gesture," he said.
According to him, journalists play an indispensable role in sustaining society; yet their sacrifices often go unnoticed, which has often resulted in incapacitation, hence, the need to ensure their well-being and that of their families, especially in times of need.
"Journalism is a noble profession, but it's not without challenges. Journalists are often exposed to occupational hazards, including threats to their lives, job insecurity, poor remuneration, 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 dedicate their lives to informing the public and their immediate family in the event of any misfortune," Onasanya added.
He stressed that the unfortunate reality is that a good number of journalists labour tirelessly but often lack the financial security to care for their families when misfortune strikes. This situation, he said, necessitates the collective efforts of society to consider sustainable ways to support media practitioners and their families.
Mr. Onasanya commended the convener, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, for initiating the noble idea to cater for journalists in need and their spouses in case of death. He, therefore, charged all stakeholders; private sector, philanthropists, corporate organizations, and well-meaning individuals to see the initiative as a collective responsibility.
The convener of the program, Ambassador Oladunjoye, said the initiative is a personal drive to give back to the profession that made him, adding that journalists advocate for others but often fail to report their own plight.
"We need to show more empathy, be each other's keepers, and I plead that people should assist journalists with solid programs like insurance to give hope to the hopeless," he said.
Earlier in her welcome address, a two-term chairperson of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State chapter, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Oniroyin Support Initiative, Mrs. Funke Fadugba stated that journalists go through pains when they cover traumatic events and face psychological challenges, often having nobody to speak for them. She emphasized that the initiative is established to take care of them and their relatives.
In their separate goodwill messages, the wife of a former President of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, and a veteran journalist, Mr. Eddy Aina said the program is timely and would surely wipe away tears from the eyes of the widows and their dependents, urging well-meaning Nigerians to embrace and support the initiative.
Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Motunrayo Lanrewaju, widow of Kolade Lanrewaju of the Vanguard Newspaper and Mr. Taofeek Sokunbi, brother to a sick information officer from the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Com. Ismail Sokunbi thanked the convener of the program for coming to their aid in their times of need and prayed that God would provide for the needs of the convener and the donors.
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