Thw 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journaliststs, NUJ, in Ondo State entered day two on Monday with free medical outreach to members and their spouses.
A statement jointly signed by the Press Week Committee chairman, Banjo Egunjobi and Secretary, Jacob Akintunde, said veteran journalists and their spouses would also benefit from the outreach at the Press Centre Clinic beginning from 10:00am.
This will be followed by Charity Visitation to the Ondo State Children’s Correctional Centre, Akure by 2:00pm.
According to the statement, “The free medical outreach which will be carried in collaboration with the Ondo State Health Commission, will feature health talk, fasting blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and other medical evaluations, all aimed at improving the well-being of journalists in the state.”
Activities marking the week commenced on Sunday commenced with a thanksgiving service at Favoured Generation Prophetic Mission, Fanibi, Akure, where members and their friends gathered to appreciate God’s grace and seek divine guidance for the year ahead.
It was well attended by members of the union and the Ondo State Commander of Amotekun corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye and his wife Prophetess Adeleye.
Delivering a homily titled “Thanking God for His Goodness,” Pastor Tolu Olujuola emphasised the importance of gratitude, regardless of life’s challenges. Drawing his message from Psalm 100, the cleric described thanksgiving as a spiritual act of appreciation that acknowledges God’s faithfulness.
He noted that God has remained faithful to humanity, describing His love as genuine and unwavering. According to him, thanksgiving is essential for recognising God’s role in creation, salvation, forgiveness of sins, and restoration of mankind to Himself.
While appreciating God for His grace upon journalists, Pastor Olujuola commended the NUJ for beginning its Press Week celebrations with thanksgiving. He also applauded journalists for their contributions to societal development.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, expressed gratitude to the Almighty for preserving the lives of members, noting that no member of the union had been lost since he assumed office four years ago.
“It is not by our doing but by the mercy and grace of Almighty God. We thank God for the gift of life, the progress of our members, and the steady growth of the union,” he said.
Adegbite urged members to sustain the unity and love that have characterised the union over the past four years.
He also appreciated the Minister of Youth, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, for his intervention at the Press Centre, describing his efforts as innovative and impactful. “He is not the first minister since 1999, but God has used him in a special way to intervene. God will help him fulfil his promises to us,” he added.
The NUJ chairman appealed to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to fulfill his promise of building new structure at Ondo NUJ Press Centre.
He described the media as the heartbeat of society and the oxygen of democracy, stressing the need for journalists to be adequately supported and protected.
