The call was made on Thursday at the Veterans’ Night, an event held in celebration of the 2025 Press Week organized by the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
It was reported that the Ogun State League of Veteran Journalists was formed and launched on Thursday, with Mr. Demola Badejo as its chairman and Dele Akinsola as secretary.
The NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahaya, represented by the national ex-officio, James Sowole, in his goodwill message, expressed confidence that their wealth of experience will guide and mentor the union.
In his welcome address, former Zonal Director, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Eddy Aina, harped on the training of members, arguing that any organization that fails to do so is doing more harm than good.
He stated that by taking on mentorship roles, sharing their knowledge, and instilling the integrity, accuracy, and fairness that the profession demands, seasoned journalists will ensure that the next generation is prepared to tell stories with authenticity and truth.
Aina said, “Any union that fails to organize training and re-training is simply not doing justice. Training and re-training is very important to our members every day. Even in medicine, things change on a daily basis — ways of treatment, new drugs, and so on. So this is an avenue for us to tell ourselves the truth. This profession is very important, and we all know it. Many people have come into the profession, so we should mentor them.”
Meanwhile, Yemisi Bamgboshe former Ogun State Chairman, Radio, Television, Theatre & Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATAWU), lamented that after dedicating their lives to chasing stories, meeting deadlines, and bringing news to the masses, most journalists on retirement struggle to find purpose.
Bamgboshe asserted that veterans should be equipped with the skills and knowledge to stay relevant, urging the executives of NUJ to do more, especially for those close to retirement, saying they need training, guidance, and support to transition into the next phase of their lives.
“As journalists, even at age 90 we are still there, but I have observed that many of us, by the time we leave service, tend not to have a lot of things to do on our own. So I will admonish the current executive of NUJ, through the League of Veterans, to find a way of training people on how and what they can imbibe by the time they leave active service,” Bankole added.
Speaking on behalf of former chairmen, Comrade Tunde Sodeke urged other states to emulate the initiative and prayed that all join hands to raise the platform to an enviable standard.
In her remarks, Stella Sawyerr, Head of Public Relations, Apple and Pears, complimented the Wale-led administration for the initiative and called for more opportunities where journalists can network and reflect on past accomplishments to make the job worthwhile.
Earlier before the Veterans’ Night, members of the League of Veteran Journalists participated in a tree-planting exercise at the front of the NUJ Secretariat, an initiative sponsored by the Rotary Club of Obantoko.
Speaking with journalists during the event, the President of the Rotary Club of Obantoko, Rotarian Iyabo Omotoke Ilesanmi, explained that the exercise went beyond environmental benefits, describing it as a symbolic act of service and sustainability aimed at building a better future for generations to come.
According to her, about ten trees were planted , while the remaining trees would be planted at the Union’s permanent site as part of the club’s commitment to promoting a greener and healthier environment.
"It is a symbol of service, sustainability, and also it would be a better future generations.
We have planted about 10 now and at the permanent site we are planting other trees".
