Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Wife of former President, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, has stated that the launching of Oniroyin Support Initiative(OSI) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, will take widows of deceased journalists in the state out of poverty.
OSI is an initiative set up by a veteran journalist, Mr Tunde Oladundoye, to support widows of late journalists in the state with money to cater for their families and to assist members suffering from severe health conditions.
Mrs Obasanjo, who made this known on Thursday, at the Inaugural Edition of the Empowerment Programme For Journalists in the state, said that the OSI would awaken hope and succour for wives of late journalists in the state especially at this period of economic hardship.
She noted that the initiative would also go a long way to support the widows in taking care of their children needs and education as well as aiding their businesses to improve their living conditions and eradicate poverty.
Mrs Obasanjo, however, called on well meaning Nigerians to emulate Mr Oladundoye gesture in supporting widows across the country with cash and other means of assistance, maintaining that God never forget kindness shown to widows.
She, therefore, urged the widows of late journalists to be strong and remain unshakable in the face of challenges especially in taking care of their children, while praying to God to give them strength to endure the pain of widowhood.
Mrs Obasanjo said “As we hare today to join Mr Oladundoye in his commendable efforts to empower the windows there is no doubt that by this single act he has succeeded in awaken and reactivating the spirit of some hopeless to be hopeful and some abandoned to feel loved by extension and make them independent and able to stand on their own and take care of their families.
“I must also commend him for his passion, dedication and generosity of spirit and commitment in uplifting and impacting the lives of women and less privileges, I will on this occasion ask God-spirited individuals particularly worthy Nigerians to cultivate the habit of helping one another must especially the widows doing these we are setting eradication of poverty, gender equality, and economic growth.
“I will urged us all to Be strong and put your hope in God and and continue night and day to pray and to asked God for his help stand firm for your children. When you can’t find the sunshine be the sunshine, and always remember God provides for you as a widows because he is a defender of Widows. I pray that God will continue to grant you all the courage to face new challenges and the wisdom to make decisions, provide the support you needs, help you to find peace in the midst of pain.” She added.
The Head of Service in Ogun State, Mr Kehinde Onasanya said that the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, was mindful of the journalists welfare in the state, lamenting that they sacrificed for the society and never get much in return especially with most media organizations not paying them salaries.
He said” Journalism is a noble profession, but it is not without challenges. Journalists are often exposed to occasional hazards, including threats to their lives, 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 dedicated their lives to informing the public and their immediate family in the event of any misfortune” he added.
Earlier, the Convener, Mr Oladundoye, said that the initiative was an opportunity to give back to his pen profession and to support the wives and families of late journalists and as well as members who were alive but face serious health conditions.
“We need to show more empathy, be each other’s keepers, and I plead that people should assist journalists with solid programmes like insurance to give hope to the hopeless,” he noted.
Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Richard Akinnola said that he was happy to be part of the initiative as it would go a long way to alleviate the suffering of widows of late journalists and their children in the state.
