The Presidency and Media Foundation, an NGO say they are partnering Leadway Assurance to extend support to media practitioners facing health and financial challenges, as well as families of late journalists.
A statement by the President of the Association, Mr Femi Oyewale on Monday in Abuja said that Media Foundation was the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE).
“Media work is hazardous. We take the highest form of risks. We are on the road even in the middle of the night, ensuring that governments and institutions’ actions are anchored in truth for the overall benefit of citizens and taxpayers.
“The risks we embrace daily take a toll on our health, and when most of us are either deceased or down with ailments, nobody cares for us.
“These are part of the reasons we set up this foundation to provide hope for colleagues in the face of hopelessness,” he explained.
Oyewale emphasized that the support extended to the beneficiaries was just a small step given the large number of media practitioners on the foundation’s list who had truly pathetic cases and needed support.
“We are not going to rest on our oars, we have a long list of journalists and families of late journalists who need help. Some of the cases are really pathetic and we are committed to this noble cause. This is just the first phase,” Oyewale assured.
He said the move by NASRE Media Foundation, Leadway Assurance, and Ms Moremi Ojudu, office of the Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagements, South West, was to wipe away tears from the eyes of these victims of circumstance and give them hope.
Oyewale noted that the Leadway Assurance, the office of the Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagements, South West, and the foundation provided cash and grains to selected beneficiaries in the first phase.
He said that the four recipients in the first phase of the support included Mr Omodele Adigun, a former Deputy Business Editor at The Sun Newspapers, who was currently battling partial stroke and Mrs Esther Peter Thomas, wife of the late renowned entertainment editor and publicist for the former Mo’Hits Records.
Others, Oyewale said, are Mrs Qudus Adewole, widow of the late Qudus Adewole, publisher of Ebony Media and the family of late Foluso Samuel, who worked with Encomium Magazine.
He assured the recipients of continued support within available resources.
The NASRE president called on corporate organizations, public and private institutions and individuals to team up with the NASRE Media Foundation in supporting journalists facing challenges to minimize the suffering associated with the job. (NAN)
