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Veteran Journalist, Sola Adebayo Empowers NUJ Warri Members With N25 Million Endowment
Veteran journalist and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Lawal Iyanda Farms Limited, Sola Adebayo, has launched a N25 million endowment fund for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents Chapel.
Adebayo, in his magnanimity presented the dummy cheque of the whopping sum, on Tuesday during a brief ceremony attended by some of his friends, and business associates who also made awesome donations to his welfare package for members of the chapel.
The fund, which exceeded its initial target of N10 million, was conceptualized by the renowned media consultant in October, to support journalists in need and promote the well-being of chapel members.
Speaking at his residence during the presentation of the cheque to the leadership of the chapel, Adebayo who had a long standing media practice in Warri before venturing into farming, urged journalists to uphold the profession’s tenets, cultivate lasting relationships, and remain dedicated to their craft.
“As journalists, keep your friends. Journalism is a tool that makes you come in contact with people, therefore, make friends and sustain the relationship.
“Develop core friendship and don’t sacrifice the ultimate for the immediate. I appeal to all of you to be responsible,” he said.
According to the renowned Journalist, the target for the project which commenced on Oct.1, 2024 was N10 million.
He, however, expressed joy that the process was able to hit N25 million.
Acknowledging the contributions of the various donors, Adebayo expressed gratitude to his friends, associates and well-wishers for the success of the project.
“I want to sincerely appreciate all my friends who contributed generously towards this project. When we started the process, the target was N10 million. I am grateful, we exceeded the target,” he said.
Presenting the dummy cheque of N25 million on behalf of Mr Adebayo, Rt. Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, Member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representative called on the public and good spirited individuals to imbibe the culture of giving and assisting one another and groups.
The lawmaker who was highly elated noted that ability to impact on peoples life was significant because a person would be remembered for his/her positive impact and legacies.
According to Chief Ereyitomi, “Sola has been a very good friend and we have been relating well. What we are doing here today is significant in the sense that it has to do with humanity.
“Service to humanity is very key because all of us will grow old and one day leave this planet. What will people say about you? Our ability to impact on others is very key. We need to be conscious of it,” he said.
Chief Ereyitomi called on members of the Chapel to ensure the fund was used judiciously to encourage the donors .
According to him, “when we see that this fund is put into judicious use, we will be encouraged.
“Now that Sola has used this platform to impact, we expect that it will trickle down, to encourage us to do more. Not only for this profession but for others who also want to impact on humanity”.
Also speaking, Hon. Ben Eteanabene, Member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency said that the project has not ended but a work in progress.
Hon. Etanabene recalled his relationship with Mr Adebayo while he was the Chairman of PENGASSAN at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI),
He added that Adebsyo is a controversial but compassionate journalist who stands for the truth and kindness at all times.
“This is just one accomplished means to actualize his dream of impacting on humanity.
“It is the journalism he is practising that brought all of us together and I am happy he is still maintaining the relationships with his base.
“His base has not change. You can describe my friend as NUJ politician. I rejoice with all of you for this kind gesture.
“It has not ended, it is a process. Ensure judicious use of money,” he advised.
The lawmaker noted that money is a source of joy but could also cause serious problems and urged the members to ensure it was judiciously managed.
He averred that government at all levels in the country had not shown concern for the welfare of the media in spite of their roles in shaping the society through agenda setting and others.
Also speaking, Hon. Donald Ojogo, Member representing Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State and a journalist by profession described journalism as a door opener.
Hon. Ojogo expressed gratitude to Adebayo for the noble gesture and urged members to at all time uphold the ethics of the journalism profession.
According to him, “it was thing of joy when Asiwaju called, for me it was not a request. Journalism opens doors, you can have access to Ministers and establish contacts with them,” he said.
The former South South Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune recalled that Warri was operating like a state within a state.
According to him, the oil-rich city was more of a melting pot between the South West, South East and South South regions of the country.
Mr. Churchill Oyowe, Chairman, NUJ, Delta State Council urged members to ensure the money does not cause division among members of the chapel but rather, it should be revolving for the benefits of all.
“People should not feign challenges. It should be shared for genuine reasons.
“I beg of us, let this money not cause problem. Let it be revolving for the benefit of all of you.
“I thank all the good minded people and Asiwaju for galvanising them for this noble gesture,” he said.
In his opening remark, Mr. Victor Okpomor, Chairman, NUJ Warri Correspondents Chapel said that the initiative kick-started on Oct. 1, 2024.
He, on behalf of the Chapel expressed gratitude to Asiwaju Adebayo.
Okpomor described him as always a leading light who had transformed journalism practice in Warri in particular, Delta State and the country in general.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.
Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.
“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.
“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.
While adding that governor Ahmed Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.
Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.
Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.
Sultan equally stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.
Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.
He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.
According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.
“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.
” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed
Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.
He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.
Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?
On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.
Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”
With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.
“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”
Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.
“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”