Don Advocates Establishment of Trust Fund for Journalists

By Dayo Adu

Government has been urged to institute a compensatory measure commensurable with the risks and hazards journalists face in the line of duty so as to adequately cater for their families in case of any eventuality.

Coordinator postgraduate studies, Mass communication Department, Lead City University, Ibadan, and a veteran journalist, Dr. Bayo Busari made the call while delivering the Memorial Lecture marking the 10th year remembrance of the Late Chairman, NUJ FRCN Ibadan chapel, Mr. David Tunde Oluwanike held at the studio one, Broadcasting House, of Radio Nigeria, Ibadan Zonal Station.

Speaking on the theme: The Need to Establish Trust funds for Journalists, the guest lecturer explained that the society looked up to journalists for their information needs saying press men worked under what he called an extremely hostile environment thereby risking their lives to cover events in a bid to inform, educate and entertain the people.

Dr. Busari noted that salaries and pension were not enough to cater for journalists hence, the need for a better scheme such as a trust fund to cushion the effect of the hardship like harassment, sickness, and death journalists were exposed to while carrying out their constitutional role as the fourth estate of the realm.

In an address, the Zonal Director, FRCN, Ibadan Zonal Station, Mr Dominic Mokikan, who spoke through Deputy  Director Engineering Services, Mr. Gabriel Ajayi extolled the virtue of the Late Tunde Oluwanike and encouraged policy makers to adequately compensate journalists in lieu of the their contribution to national development.

Reminiscing on their experiences based on personal relationships with the deceased, Deputy Director News, Mr. Adewumi Faniran and the Deputy Director New Media, Dr. Sola AGBOOLA who commended the widow of the late Tunde Oluwanike said the late NUJ chairman live a selfless and dedicated life in the services of God and humanity.

On his part, Chairman NUJ, Oyo State council, Alhaji Demola Babalola, who praised the deceased for his contribution to journalism and the union encouraged journalists to remain focused and prioritize national interests above personal gains.

Earlier in an address of welcome, chairman, NUJ, FRCN Ibadan Chapel, Mr. Oluwakayode Banjo who explained that the ten years memorial lecture was organised to acknowledge the immense contributions of the Late Tunde Oluwanike in the journalism profession kicked against maltreatment of journalists while on duty.

Widow of the deceased, Mrs Omolara Oluwanike, appreciated the union for acknowledging the personal sacrifices of her husband to the union and the society, promised to continue to carry on the dreams and legacies of the deceased.

Late David Tunde Oluwanike, a Senior Servicom Officer in Radio Nigeria, Ibadan Zonal Station died in a motor accident along-side two members of the union while returning from NUJ assignment in Abuja ten years ago.

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