The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has established a trust fund to support the education and welfare of the three children of its former Chairman, the late Patrick Osadebamwen.
The council announced the initiative on Monday at a Night of Tribute held in honour of the veteran journalist, who died at his residence.
The event, held at the NUJ FCT Council Secretariat, Utako, Abuja, brought together members of Osadebamwen’s family, former chairmen of the council, journalists, professional colleagues, friends and other well-wishers to honour his memory and reflect on his contributions to journalism.
Announcing the trust fund, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the initiative was part of the council’s efforts to provide support for Osadebamwen’s family following his death.
She said his death provided an opportunity for journalists to reflect on his professional career and contributions to the journalism community.
According to Ike, journalists spend much of their careers documenting the stories of others, but Osadebamwen’s death had brought the profession to reflect on the life and career of one of its own.
“Osadebamwen had a considerable professional career, having worked with Union Newspaper, Core TV, The Nigerian Tribune and Kaftan TV. He also served as Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council,” she said.
The council chairman noted that leadership within the NUJ came with responsibilities and challenges, adding that serving as chairman of the FCT Council required commitment to the affairs of the Union and its members.
She said Osadebamwen contributed to the activities and development of the Union during his tenure, adding that his service would remain part of the history of the Council and the journalism profession.
Ike said his death also highlighted the temporary nature of professional positions and the importance of the contributions individuals make to institutions and the people they serve.
She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting the families of deceased members, describing such assistance as an expression of solidarity within the journalism profession.
According to her, the council had remained in contact with Osadebamwen’s family since receiving news of his death, with particular attention to the welfare of his three children.
“It is in this spirit that the Council has remained engaged with Patrick’s family since we received the news of his passing. We are particularly mindful of the three children he left behind and the responsibility that now rests on the family and those around them.
“I would also like, on behalf of the NUJ FCT Council, to acknowledge the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, particularly for the prompt assistance provided in the evacuation of Patrick’s remains.
“We appreciate the police authorities for identifying with the family and the journalism community at this difficult time. We also appreciate the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, for representing the IGP and conveying his condolences.
“To Patrick’s family, I want to say that tonight is an expression of the Union’s respect for one of its former leaders. We recognise your loss, and we pray that God grants you the strength and wisdom to navigate the period ahead.
“To our colleagues in the NUJ, let this gathering also remind us of the need to strengthen the bonds that hold our professional community together. We may disagree on issues, we may serve in different capacities and at different times, but we remain members of one profession and one Union.
“Patrick has taken his place in history. Our responsibility now is to ensure that his contributions are remembered with dignity, while also supporting those he has left behind.
“As we honour him tonight, let us therefore not only mourn his departure but also reflect on the value of life, service, professionalism and the responsibilities we owe one another.”
Speaking on behalf of the National President of the NUJ, Achike Chude urged journalists and other Nigerians to cultivate tolerance and forgiveness, stressing that while death was inevitable, its timing and circumstances remained unknown.
He said the occasion should remind people of the importance of maintaining relationships and extending love and forgiveness while they were still alive.
According to him, “Every single person knows that all of us will go one day or the other. What we do not know is when and how it is going to happen.”
Similarly, former chairmen of the council called on members of the Union to use Osadebamwen’s death as an opportunity to promote reconciliation and strengthen relationships within the profession.
They said his death underscored the inevitability of death and the importance of resolving differences while people were still alive.
They urged members to find ways to relate, reconnect and work together, stressing that disagreements should not be allowed to permanently damage relationships within the Union.
Former President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Evelyn Oyilo, also called on journalists to embrace forgiveness, love and unity.
Oyilo described Osadebamwen as a friend who, despite his strong personality, was willing to seek peace when disagreements arose.
In the same vein, the National President of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim Kwaya-Bura, represented by the Chairperson of the FCT Chapter, Bassey Ita Ikpang, urged journalists to support one another irrespective of their differences.
She appealed to members to respond with kindness when colleagues sought their assistance.
“I want to implore every one of us to speak out and up and seek help. And to every other person, please, when somebody calls you or talks to you, try to embrace that person.
Embrace the person with love,” she said.
The immediate past President of NAWOJ, Comrade Ladi Bala, urged former leaders of the council to refrain from taking disagreements and grievances to social media.
She called on members to resolve their differences, reconcile and work together in the interest of the union.
Also speaking, veteran journalist and Executive Director of Men Against Rape, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe, urged members of the Union to set aside their differences and begin a process of reconciliation in honour of Osadebamwen.
Ughegbe said he would have preferred to be invited to celebrate Osadebamwen’s birthday rather than gather to mourn his death, describing the occasion as a difficult moment for his colleagues and friends.
He said Osadebamwen’s death should serve as an opportunity for members of the Union to reflect on their relationships and work towards greater understanding and unity.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, also paid tribute to the late journalist and assured his family of the support of the Nigeria Police Force.
The IGP, who was represented by CSP Habib, said Disu had indicated his willingness to support the children through the trust fund established for their education and welfare.
Habib also appealed to individuals and members of the NUJ to contribute to the fund, stressing the importance of supporting the three children left behind by the deceased.
He said, “It touches me personally to see these young children because if I had lost my father or mother at a tender age, I do not know if I would have been able to get to where I am today.
“So, as parents, individually, let us do all we can to support these children, both as individuals and as an organisation.”