The Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Foundation on Wednesday donated an 18-seater new President Hiace Bus to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, as part of efforts to help the union in its activities.
The bus was handed-over to the executive members of the Lagos NUJ led by its Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi at the foundation’ secretariat in Ikeja.
The Director-General of the foundation, Mr Ipoola Omisore, who presented the bus, said that people know Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as a philanthropist per excellence and as somebody who had done a lot in the past to relieve the pains and poverty of many.
Omisore said that the foundation was established to break the shackles of poverty in the society which is one of the good philosophies that Asiwaju had been known for over the years.
“The greatest friend of journalists is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Today, we are doing what we needed to do for the Nigeria Union of Journalists because our principal, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a friend of the press. He is a friend of the media.
“He has thought it fit that this foundation set up to bring succour to Nigerians starts with the media. Today, what we are doing now is to facilitate and make the job of the media easier. Lagos is the melting point for journalists in Nigeria.
“What our principal is doing today is the beginning of many great things meant for journalists in Nigeria. We are aware he will never be tired of doing good things for Nigerians.
“When the media is doing well, the country will also,’’ he said.
He added that the foundation would, through its activities, continue to strengthen the media so that it would continue to serve as the fourth estate of the realm.
He said that in that capacity, journalists would be able to keep politicians on their feet for Nigerians to get the best dividends of democracy.
The foundation said that Tinubu would stand by the NUJ and warned the public not to maltreat journalists, saying that the media is a veritable tool for positive change in Nigeria.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, the Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the NUJ in his response, commended the foundation for the magnanimity, generousity and support to Lagos journalists.
He said that the bus would further aid the business of journalism in the state.
The NUJ chairman also commended the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, for facilitating the gift of the bus following the courtesy visit paid on him recently by the council executive.