Mr Olusegun Olulade, a former member of Lagos State House of Assembly, has promised to collaborate with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos Chapter to champion the cause of women.
Olulade, popularly known as Eleniyan, made the pledge during a courtesy visit of the executives of the association to his office, on Tuesday in Lagos.
He expressed his willingness to partner with the association to empower women, children and the vulnerable in the society.
“Our collaboration as conceived by the executive is a welcome idea and I will be willing and ready to be an advocate of the cause of women and children through NAWOJ and not just a patron as offered .
“I have been a collaborator with the media and NAWOJ for a long time because female journalists have a lot of strength and are detailed in their reportage.
“Female Journalists are at the forefront and are breaking grounds in the media industry, ” he said.
According to him, the collaboration will complement other philanthropic projects he is engaged in, such as the Eleniyan foundation.
Olulade said empowering women is important and rewarding because they are more accountable and prudent than their male counterparts.
The former lawmaker said: “when you empower a woman, you empower a family”.
According to him, everyone needs to contribute or assist others to build a community of philanthropists and add value to one another in return.
Olulade urged female journalists, as mothers, not to promote any news that could cause insecurity, threats or endanger lives.
“Journalists must see beyond sentiments and always balance their stories,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Adeola Ekine, Chairperson, NAWOJ, Lagos chapter, said that the association, after due consultation, had decided to make Olulade the patron of the association and would decorate him soon.
Ekine said the choice of Olulade was borne out of his track record of patriotism and benevolence to the less privileged, women, youth and children.
“The former lawmaker has always been a staunch supporter of NAWOJ in the past and the present executive also need his collaboration to foster programmes for women and children.
“We have been doing programmes in several areas such as breastfeeding, rape, gender equality, female mutilation, child trafficking and others and we need sponsorship,” she said.
According to the chairperson, the association also needs to support some of its members who are widows, single mothers and those who lost their jobs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic..
Ekine said the executive was looking up to Olulade to gain from his wealth of experience.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the executive members of the association in attendance include Bunmi Yekini, Vice Chairperson; and Lilian Ario, Secretary.
Olawunmi Shittu , Treasurer; Rukayat Adeyemi, Financial Secretary; Olasunbo Modupe, Ex-officio; and Monica Iheakam, Ex-officio, were also present. (NAN)