The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, has advised journalists across the country to engage in productive fallback ventures that will make them financially independent and sustain their relevance during and after active service.
Oyelade gave the advice on Thursday while speaking as chairman at the Veterans’ Day event, held as part of the 2025 Press Week of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
He urged journalists, especially veterans, to leverage their professional experience and writing skills to produce commercially viable books, saying such initiatives would help them maintain self-esteem and financial stability after retirement.
The commissioner revealed that his own engagement in writing and publishing had contributed significantly to his continued relevance, both financially and politically, after nearly five decades in journalism.
To encourage similar efforts, Oyelade donated ₦1 million to support the publication of a collective, well-researched book capturing the unique personal experiences of members of the Oyo State NUJ League of Veterans. He said the fund, sourced from proceeds of his earlier books, should be used to kick-start the project, which he hopes will be launched during next year’s Veterans’ Day celebration.
“You have a story to tell,” he said. “Don’t go to your graves without rewarding the world with your narration from your sojourn in this beautiful profession.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the Oyo State League of Veteran Journalists, Mr. Banji Ogundele, commended the commissioner for his consistent support and urged serving journalists to invest in alternative ventures while prioritizing the education of their children.
The outgoing NUJ State Chairman, Chief Ademola Babalola, also expressed appreciation to Oyelade and the state government for their sustained support over the past six years, urging that such partnership continue under the incoming leadership of the union.
The event also featured recognition of outstanding veteran journalists, including past chairpersons of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and former NUJ secretaries. Among those specially honoured were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, a former NUJ Secretary, and Mrs. Adekitan Adeagbo, former NAWOJ Chairperson and a Director in the ministry.
