The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya has called for the support of families of journalists, stressing the need for  a safe society for the pen professionals.

Mr. Onasanya who made this known at the inaugural empowerment programme for the families of deceased journalists in Ogun state organized by the Oniroyin Support Initiative held at the Basic trust International, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta also thanked the State Government for many of the" silent assistance " to journalists in distress.

He said journalists play an indispensable role in sustaining our society,  yet their sacrifices often go unnoticed which has often resulted into incapacitation hence the need to ensure their wellbeing and that of their families especially in times of need.

"Journalism is a noble profession, but it's not without challenges, Journalists are often exposed to occupational hazards including threats to their lives, job insecurity, poor renumeration, harassment, censorship, persecution, mental and emotional strain and even death. When these occur, it is high time we take a bold step in addressing these concerns and ensure better welfare for those who dedicate their lives to informing the public and their immediate family in the case of any eventuality " Onasanya said.

He said that the unfortunate reality is that a good number of Journalists labour tirelessly but often lack the financial security to cater for their families when misfortune strikes, this situation he  said engenders the collective efforts of the society to ponder on sustainable ways to support media practitioners and their families.

The number one civil servant said the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun has continued to place the welfare of the members of the pen profession on the front burner in the State, added that Governor Abiodun has settled hospital bills, rendered assistance towards medication and surgery for sick journalists in the State as well as given support to the families of deceased journalists to provide succour to them.

" Some of the deceased families present in this auditorium has continued to appreciate the State Government for this gesture " , he added

Mr Onasanya commended the convener of the initiative, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye for initiating this noble idea to cater for the journalists in need and their spouses in case of death, he therefore charged all stakeholders;  private sector, philanthropists, corporate organizations and well meaning individuals to see the initiative as a collective responsibility.

The convener of the programme, ambassador Oladunjoye said the initiative is a personal drive to give back to the profession that made him adding that Journalists cry for other people's matter, report others people's plight but fail to report theirs.

"We need to show more empathy, be each other's keeper and I plead that people should assist journalists with solid programs like insurance to give hope to the hopeless",he said,

The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Richard Akinnola said the initiative is dear to his heart hence his desire to be at the occasion despite a little challenge he was having, adding  that journalists and their families should be assisted to live better lives.

Earlier in her welcome address, a two term chairperson of Nigerian Union Journalists, Lagos state chapter and the chairman board of trustees of the Oniroyin Support Initiative, Mrs Funke Fadugba said journalists go through pains when they cover traumatic events and face psychological challenges and have nobody to speak for them, saying that the initiative is established to take care of them and their relatives.

In their separate good will messages, the wife of a former president of Nigeria, Chief Mrs Bola Obasanjo and a veteran journalist, Mr Eddy Aina said the programme is apt and would surely wipe away tears from the eyes of the widows and their dependants, urging well meaning Nigerians to embrace and support the initiative.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Motunrayo Lanrewaju, widow of Kolade Lanrewaju of the AM, PM and tempo stables and Mr Taofeek Sokunbi brother to a sick  information officer from the Ogun state ministry of information and strategy, Com. Ismail  Sokunbi thanked the convener of the program for coming to their aid in their times of need and prayed that God will arise for the needs of the convener and the donors.