A Veteran Journalist and Philanthropist, Comrade Asiwaju Sola Adebayo has charged members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel to use individual’s contacts to better lots of members in the journalism profession just as sued for more unity, co-operation to attain speedy growth in life.
Comrade Adebayo disclosed on Tuesday when members of Nigeria Union of Journalists Warri Correspondents’ Chapel hosted him at Peb Global Hotel,.Jeddo, Delta State.
According to him, whatever the contact a Journalist has, he should exploit it to favour members just as he charged members to work with that person to achieve the such purpose instead of envying such a person.His words: “‘if you have contact with any person, being the Police, Navy, Army, even the Governor, use such contact to better the lots of other members.
Adebayo who said he was motivated into the profession by the late elder brother who was a Journalist said when he came to Warri, he came with different approach of Journalism as he does not believe in collecting money from a client as such money can only solve immediate problems rather, he would want the client to avail him with the opportunity to benefit more by way of contract execution to gain more from the person.
According to him, not necessarily he does not like money but the stipend of N10,000 or N20,000 can not solve basic life problems.
His words:” l came to Warri with different approach to Journalism not that l am better than every one. 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 a supply? Eventually, l would do the supply. This is how l was able to supply in NBTC and others in Warri.”
The Journalist who was flanked with his entourage among whom are his wife,son and friends, said members should stop gossip, backbiting and work together to better the lots of all.
Comrade Adebayo who expressed joy for hosting said he felt he not has done enough to warrant the hosting and encomium poured on him just as he promised he would always identify with the Union because it is the profession that made him who he is today in life. According to him, he would use his contact to ensure that Warri Correspondents’ Chapel has welfare scheme where members’ challenges can be solved just as he said, modalities are in place for the Union to have a befitting permanent Press Centre in Warri.
On her part, his wife, Mrs Asiwaju corroborated the husband by suing for love for one another in the Union. She charged Journalists to believe in God to achieve success in life. She said:”:if you have good heart towards your neighbours, and believe in God, you will succeed in life”
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Earlier in his welcome address,.the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Victor Okpomor expressed gratitude over what Comrade Asiwaju has done for advancing Journalism professesion in Warri, Delta in particular and Nigeria at large.
The Chairman thanked Comrade Asiwaju to have helped members of Warri Correspondents’ Chapel in one or the other. His words:”it is day set aside 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 lend helping hands psychologically, physically,. financially, morally and otherwise to our members and chapel as a group…”
Comrade Okpomor prayed God to bless him with good health and provide for him to enable him do more for the people.He said:” l pray God to continue to bless you beyond your expectations to successfully drive this scheme that you have initiated”.
Members of Nigeria Union of Journalists both Warri Correspondents’ Chapel and State Council among whom are: Elder Emmanuel Ogoigbe, Comrade Gbenga Ahmed, Comrade Barr.Akpokona Omafuaire, the State Council Chairman, Comrade Churhill Oyowe, the Vice Chairman, Comrade Felix Ekwu, the immediate Chairman of the State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu poured encomium on Veteran Journalist, Asiwaju for his good for humanity over the years just as they urged him to keep the flag flying in this regard.
The climax of the event was the presentation of awards of recognition and frame of his picture amid excitement.