By Fatima Saka
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has opened a trust fund to secure the education and welfare of the three children left behind by its former Chairman, the late Patrick Osadebamwen.
The fund was announced on Monday at a Night of Tribute held at the NUJ FCT Council Secretariat, Utako, Abuja, in honour of the veteran journalist who died at his residence.
The initiative attracted an immediate pledge of support from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who assured the deceased’s family that the Nigeria Police Force would support the children through the newly established fund.
Represented at the event by CSP Habib, the IGP appealed to individuals, journalists and organisations to contribute to the fund, stressing that the future of Osadebamwen’s children required collective responsibility.
“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,” he said.
He added: “So, as parents, individually, let us do all we can to support these children, both as individuals and as an organisation.”
Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the establishment of the trust fund was part of the council’s commitment to standing by the families of deceased members, particularly the children left behind.
Ike said the council had remained engaged 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,” she said.
According to her, the trust fund represents the Union’s solidarity with the family and an effort to ensure that Osadebamwen’s death does not derail the future of his children.
The NUJ FCT chairman also acknowledged the intervention of IGP Disu and the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, particularly for the prompt assistance provided in the evacuation of Osadebamwen’s remains.
She appreciated the police authorities for identifying with the family and the journalism community at a difficult period.
The Night of Tribute, attended by members of Osadebamwen’s family, former NUJ FCT chairmen, journalists, professional colleagues and friends, also became an occasion for reflection on his career and contribution to journalism.
Ike recalled that Osadebamwen worked with Union Newspaper, Core TV, The Nigerian Tribune and Kaftan TV before serving as Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council.
She said his service to the Union and the journalism profession would remain part of the history of the council.
Beyond the trust fund, speakers at the event urged journalists to use Osadebamwen’s death as an opportunity to promote forgiveness, reconciliation and unity within the profession.
Speaking on behalf of the National President of the NUJ, Achike Chude urged journalists and Nigerians to maintain relationships and resolve differences while they were still alive, noting that although death was inevitable, its timing and circumstances remained unknown.
Former NUJ FCT chairmen similarly called on members to reconnect and strengthen relationships, warning against allowing disagreements to permanently damage professional bonds.
Former President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Evelyn Oyilo, described Osadebamwen as a friend who, despite his strong personality, was willing to seek peace whenever disagreements arose.
The National President of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim Kwaya-Bura, represented by the FCT Chapter Chairperson, Bassey Ita Ikpang, urged journalists to support one another and respond with love whenever colleagues sought assistance.
The immediate past NAWOJ President, Comrade Ladi Bala, also called on members to resolve their differences rather than take grievances to social media.
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Veteran journalist and Executive Director of Men Against Rape, Dr Lemmy Ughegbe, said Osadebamwen’s death should prompt members of the profession to begin a process of reconciliation and greater understanding.
The event ended with renewed appeals for support for Osadebamwen’s three children, with speakers stressing that preserving their education and welfare would be one of the most meaningful ways of honouring the memory of the late journalist.
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