Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, the renown servant of God at INRI Evangelical Spiritual church, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, will again empower another set of Nigerian journalists with cash, vehicles and land among other gifts in recognition of what he said their unappreciated contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria.
The 2022 empowerment of Nigerian Journalists programme, which is an annual gesture by the primate, will hold during the 2022 annual thanksgiving service of the church on February 14, 2022 at its Oke Afa headquarters.
Primate Ayodele in his recent annual media interaction with some Nigerian journalists from the print, broadcast and social media, paid glowing tributes to the members of the fourth estate of the realm, saying their contributions to the growth and development of Nigerian are highly commendable and deserve appreciation from all Nigerians, including well-meaning individuals, government, religious bodies and corporate organizations.
He lamented that despite the danger that Nigerian journalists daily experience in the course of their risky service to the growth and development of the nation they are unappreciated by most Nigerians.
“I welcome you to this annual media interaction between Nigerian press and INRI church. Most of you have come a long way with us and are now INRI family. I appreciate your support to us over the years. I won’t fail to honour the memory of a Nigerian media icon and guru, Olaleye Muyiwa that we have lost; may his soul rest in peace. I appreciate all of you. For the next 10 years I’ll be giving the two vehicles every year to the press.
“As the Lord lives, from 2023 I’ll be giving the press three plots of land every year. I’m not doing this to bribe you, or to stop you from whatever you are writing about us. I’m doing this to express my sincere love to you members of the fourth estate of the realm. Most Nigerians don’t care about your well-being despite the risks in your service to the nation. Despite the best you are doing to make Nigeria stand on her feet you are unappreciated by most Nigerians. I pray you will not be corrupt with your pens,” the amiable primate lauded the Nigerian press.
