Nearly N4million was given out last Friday by The Flagship Trust Fund (TFTF), in support of former The Guardian Staff in its first decade of existence, who are either experiencing health challenges or are in dire need of financial support.
The grants are from a voluntary contribution amongst the over three hundred former staff of the newspapers, assembled on the WhatsApp Platform by Aaron Ukodie and O’Seun Ogunseitan-two colleagues, concluding a book before year-end, on the newspaper’s celebrated first decade.
The former The Guardian staff contribution has since surpassed N10 million in an endeavour, inspired by some of its former editors, including Senator Ayogu Eze, Mr Fred Ohwahwa, Chief Babs Alasa, and the twin authors of the expected book. They had launched the fund to respond to some imminent needs of colleagues, but now to be sustained.
Fund Financial Secretary, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi revealed that over N10,077, 400.00 was realized over four weeks, adding: “hopes are high that more contributions will come, if with the enthusiasm of the staff, and consistent with their preference for perfection in past and present endeavours. Donations are continuous”
Senator Eze, a principal inspiration behind the endeavour, said last night that with the ten million milestones, and the release of the first round of donations, a fresh start is here. “We will continue with the drive, not just to define our essence as professionals, instrumental to the rise of quality journalism in Nigeria, but who also have a concern for each other”
Ohwahwa, sounded similar, adding that we grew together in excellence, and would continue in that “spirit of communal love and care”. On the strategy for sustaining the project, Alasa volunteered: “We will work on a structure, in committees, to grow the funds transparently, to be helpful to colleagues, just in case” Book authors, Aaron and O’Seun earlier promised 20% of their profit to the funds.
Chief Alasa, Ohwahwa, and the authors were amongst others, on the entourage of delegates who delivered the gifts to the beneficiaries that included two former senior editors, a widow of former staff, and a former staff, whose wife has an ailing spinal cord.
Sources added that the Abuja Chapter of the former The Guardian staff are soon to have an expanded get together, courtesy of Senator Eze. He had earlier hosted one in his Maitama, Abuja home, where the trust fund idea was firstly muted.
The Guardian, one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers, was founded in 1983, by late businessman, Chief Alex Ibru. It eventually emerged as a preparatory ground for some of the nation’s best, given its careful recruitment process.
Many of those who worked in the newspaper in its first decade have formed the fulcrum of other successful publications, while many others went elsewhere, becoming captains of industry, heads of the agency, professors, senior religious leaders, media and public relations consultants, and knowledge management experts.
Some have also been called to national service turning presidential spokesmen, senators, and state governors. Some of those who remained behind equally rose to senior editorial and administrative positions like editors, directors of publication, editors-in-chief, and managing directors.
Amongst famous media managers and writers that have been associated with the newspaper are Stanley Macebuh, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Onwuchekwa Jemie, Eluem Emeka Izeze, Debo Adesina, Kingsley Osadolor, Rasaq Adedigba, Yemi Ogunbiyi, Femi Osofisan, Olusegun Adeniyi, Rueben Abati, Sam Oyoibare, Dupe Ajayi, Ben Tomoloju, Godwin Sogolo, Emevwo Biakolo, and a host of other notables.
