Chairman, Warri Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Okie Okpomor in a handshake with Comrade Asiwaju Adebayo as he present him with an award
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Veteran Journalist and Philanthropist, Comrade Asiwaju Sola Adebayo, has charged members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel to use their individual contacts to better lots of members in the journalism profession just as he sued for more unity, co-operation to attain speedy growth in life.L-R, Comrade Asiwaju Sola Adebayo, son & wife
Comrade Adebayo disclosed on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 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 such purpose instead of envying such a person.
Chairman, Warri Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Okie Okpomor in a handshake with Comrade Asiwaju Adebayo as he present him with an award
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.
“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 the hosting said he felt he has not 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”
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 profession in Warri, Delta in particular and Nigeria at large. The Chairman thanked Comrade Asiwaju for the supports given to members of Warri Correspondents’ Chapel in one way or the other. He say it is a day set aside to honour our own- a veteran Journalist and Philanthropist, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo. He has done so well in advancing our noble profession of 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. “l pray God to continue to bless you beyond your expectations to successfully drive this scheme that you have initiated.”
Members of the 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 past Chairman of the State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, all poured encomium on the Veteran Journalist, Asiwaju for his good heart towards 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 photo amid excitement.
