The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, says the welfare of its members and veterans remains paramount.
The Chairman of the council, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, made the remark at a news conference to announce activities lined up to mark the 2021 NUJ Press Week on Friday in Lagos.
According to him, the press week is a time for journalists to brainstorm on crucial issues of national interest and to exercise their bodies through sporting activities.
“Our welfare for elders is superb. We love them and we are enjoying very smooth and cordial relationship with all elders in the Lagos council. We have taken the issues of welfare of our members as a priority.
“We are also keeping them abreast of all we are doing and they are happy with us. We have received their blessings. They are always on our list. We need them around to advise us and to guide us aright,” Ajayi said.
Ajayi said that Oct. 18 had been set aside for a health walk, from the Ikeja Local Government to the LTV premises in Agidingbi, Ikeja.
He said that on Oct. 19, there would be novelty matches between the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and their counterparts from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State.
The NUJ and the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) would also trade tackles on the same day at the NIJ in Ogba.
Ajayi said that a public lecture would hold on Oct. 20, at the Combo Hall of the LTV Complex, Agidingbi.
He said the lecture would be delivered by Mr Segun Adeniyi, Chairman, Editorial Board, This Day Newspapers, and the occasion would be chaired by Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye.
According to him, the panel of discussants includes Prof. Adepoju Tejumaye, Head of Department, Mass Communications, University of Lagos and Dr Jide Johnson of the NIJ.
CP Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Commissioner of Police and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of the Trinity House Church, among others, are also listed.
Ajayi said that there would be Chapels’ Rendezvous on Oct. 21, a Jumaat Service at Lagos State Secretariat Mosque and a Gala /Award Night, at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Oct. 22.
He said that dignitaries such as Gov. Babjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly and Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, Founder, Love of Christ Generation Church Worldwide, were among the awardees.
Mr Allen Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace would also be recognised among many others.
Ajayi said the council would pay a visit to the Little Saints Orphanage, Abule Egba and Regina Mundi Old Peoples’ Home, Mushin, on Oct. 23.
He called for donations of clean and decent clothing, shoes, food, books and other items for children and adults.
The council chairman said that the high point of the event would be on Oct. 24, with a Thanksgiving Service at the Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja.
Ajayi said that though he resumed office on Nov. 26, 2020, amidst a turbulent election, his administration had recorded some modest achievements, especially on welfare and training of members.
“Efforts are being made and we will not rest on our oars, to ensure we take possession of our estate at Abarenland.
“Concerning our Secretariat, ‘Ladi Lawal Press Centre’ being remodelled, we are at the final stage of reconciliation of value of work done so far by the former contractor, having engaged a Quantity Surveyor who has just submitted the final evaluation report.
“We are deeply concerned with the health of our members, hence we emphasise that those not on National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should patronise the health insurance scheme put in place by the Lagos State Government.
“The life insurance scheme is to be subsidised at 50 per cent rate by the union,” Ajayi said.
Also speaking, Mr Adewale Akodu, the Chairman of Press Week Organisation Committee, called for cooperation of all members, noting that the press week was meant to bring Lagos journalists together.
