Popular gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele, has said that journalists in Oyo State deserve better welfare package.
He thus pledged to support them accordingly.
Ayefele and the Chairman, National Lottery Commission, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, have pledged to support the ongoing re-positioning of Oyo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The duo made the pledges on Sunday during their separate visits to the NUJ Press Centre in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two personalities were received by members of the state executive council of the union, led by the Chairman, Mr Ademola Babalola.
NAN also reports that Babalola is the state correspondent of Fresh FM, Abeokuta, one of the radio stations founded by Ayefele.
Ayefele had, immediately after the emergence of the new executives, pledged free health insurance for all journalists in the state and a brand new car for the chairman’s office.
Speaking during the visit, the gospel musician pledged to support the Babalola-led administration by giving the press centre the desired face-lift.
“I am here to see the state of things at the press centre and see where I can be of help. From what I have seen, this place truly needs a huge support to actualise the desired face-lift.
“Also, journalists in the state deserve better welfare packages to enhance their work. We are going to support the Babalola-led administration in realising the enormous agenda before him.
“I am not rich to do everything all alone. We are going to explore all avenues, including our friends, government and other corporate institutions, to actualise it,” he said.
Ayefele said that journalists had played major roles in nation building and, therefore, deserved the support of all, urging the new executives to also explore all available legitimate means to get the support.
He promised that the health insurance fees for all the journalists in the state would be paid during the week and that the new car would be handed over to the NUJ chairman on Jan. 26.
In the same vein, Ibikunle, a former Personal Assistant to late former Gov. Lam Adesina and an APC chieftain, said that journalists in the state deserved their support, as major stakeholders in the building of a greater Oyo state and Nigeria.
Ibikunle, who also served as Special Adviser on Political Matters to the immediate past governor of the state, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, recalled the role played by the media in the enthronement and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
He lauded Babalola for being a thoroughbred professional who had distinguished himself as a seasoned journalist, with a knack for excellence and development of the pen profession.
Ibikunle pledged to erect a project at the press centre and facilitate support from friends as well as other well-meaning Nigerians for the chairman.
He, however, urged journalists in the state to adhere strictly to ethical standards, saying that they should do not be involved in the spread of fake news. (NAN)
