NUJ celebrates ex-N-Delta PUNCHman as he institutes N10m Journalists Welfare Scheme
By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents Chapel have celebrated former Niger Delta correspondent of The PUNCH, Mr. Sola Adebayo, just as the veteran journalist instituted a N10million Welfare Scheme for Chapel members with the donation of N1million.
The event held on Tuesday at the popular PEB Global Hotel, Jeddo, Delta State, with the Chapel members expressing their gratitude "for Adebayo's philanthropic deeds and leadership".
The gathering was graced by the Chairman, Delta State Council of the NUJ, Churchill Oyowe and some members of the Union executive, among others.
Adebayo, now an agribusiness investor in Niger Delta, who was highly elated with the event organized in his honour shocked members during his speech as he announced the setting up of a N10million journalists welfare endowment for the Chapel.
He promised to use his contacts "to realise the vision in order to cater for the welfare of members amidst the existing economic challenges".
He however charged members of the Chapel to use their contacts to better lots of members of the journalism profession.
He said, "I am thrilled that you people have decided to celebrate me, though I never thought of this until this moment.
"Whatever the contact a journalist has, he should exploit it to favour members. Work with that person to achieve the purpose instead of envying one another.
"Right here, I am instituting a Journalist Welfare Scheme of N10million with a donation of N1million. I will mobilise my friends and well-wishers to raise the N10m target".
Adebayo disclosed that he was motivated into the Journalism profession by his late elder brother, Femi Adebayo, who was a journalist.
On her part, his wife, Mrs. Dora Adebayo corroborated the husband by suing for love amongst members of the Union. She charged journalists to believe in God to achieve success in life.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman, NUJ Warri Correspondents' Chapel, Victor Okpomor expressed "gratitude over what Adebayo has done for advancing Journalism profession in Warri, Delta in particular and Nigeria at large".
He thanked Adebayo "for helping members of Warri Correspondents' Chapel in one way or the other".
"It is a day set aside to honour you", Okpomor stated as he prayed God to continuously bless him with good health and provide for him to enable him do more for the people.
