Late Journalists are " Fallen heroes" that should be remembered at all time - Amb. Babatunde Adeyemo

The promoter of Okó Opó Foundation, Ambassador Babatunde Adeyemo has described deceased journalists as ‘fallen heroes,’ who are worthy of remembrance for all their sacrifices towards  building a just and egalitarian society.

Ambassador Adeyemo harped on the importance of always remembering the living and departed members of the noble pen profession by asking after their family members and offering them necessary support and encouragement.

The timely advice came on the heels of the launch of Oniroyin Support Initiatives, OSI, a project of an activist journalist and Onigegewura of Ijebuland, Chief Tunde Oladunjoye at the Basic Trust Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital to cater for the families of departed journalists, particularly those that plied their trade in the state.

The launch on Thursday, February 27 and chaired by Human rights activist, lawyer and former Editor of the Vanguard Newspaper, Richard Akinola, was graced by Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo, Head of Service of Ogun State, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, veteran journalist and unionist, Funke Fadugba, and a host other dignitaries.

The succour – giving Oniroyin Support Initiatives witnesses threatening mobilisation of human and material resources to put smiles on the faces of families of departed journalists.

The beneficiaries were supported with cash gifts and free medical screenings for non – communicable diseases such as High Blood Pressure (BP/hypertension) and diabetes.

Adeyemo who lauded the initiative, commended the initiator, Tunde Oladunjoye and prayed God to grant him the vigour and energy to sustain the vision.

He explained that the Almighty Allah has a hand in the project, stressing that was the reason He kept and preserve his live to accomplish the Oniroyin Support Initiative.

Describing it as something so dear to heart, Adeyemo who is the CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Nigerian top – notch real estate firm, said he exemplified the initiative by establishing Okó Opó Foundation to cater for widows, children and the downtrodden members of the society.

He recalled that in the last 18 months, over 150 widows, including widows and children of some departed journalists have supported with monthly stipends,

urging well meaning individuals to emulate what Okó Opó Foundation and Oniroyin Support Initiative are doing to lend helping hands to the loved ones left behind by the departed journalists.

He said, “This foundation is very dear to me. I think I have exemplified that by establishing Okó Opó Foundation. By the way when I came here, somebody asked ‘Why I was still wearing armed forces remembrance tag, this has expired now.’

“I said ‘No, there is no expiry date to how we will continue to remember our fallen heroes.’ And this occasion is one. We will continue to remember our fallen heroes. The late Journalists are heroes because without this profession people like me will not be where I am today. It is practically impossible.

“I will like to urge all of us to emulate this gesture. I have done that by empowering almost 150 widows, we have paid some of our late journalists’ spouses monthly stipend for about a year and half now. We have done a bit of sponsoring some of our widows and children.

“I will continue to do that by the grace of God. We are still going to integrate widows of some of our fallen heroes into the Okó Opó Foundation and we will be working in partnership with you. I will support and continue to support you in this initiative.”

Speaking earlier, Richard Akinnola charged journalists to always prioritize their health above the practice.

The Human rights activist who was the Chairman of the occasion while addressing the gathering, said he initiated a similar foundation about 15 years ago in Lagos for widows of Journalists.

“So, when Oladunjoye 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?

In the same vein, the 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.