……As Spirit of Thanksgiving dominates sermons at Church service
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, on Sunday commenced activities marking the 2025 Press Week with a thanksgiving service, as members gathered to appreciate God’s grace and seek divine guidance for the year ahead.
The thanksgiving service, held at Favoured Generation Prophetic Mission, Fanibi Akure, yesterday was well attended by members of the union and the Ondo State Commander of Amotekun corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye and his wife Prophetess Adeleye.
Delivering a homily titled “Thanking God for His Goodness,” Pastor Tolu Olujuola emphasised the importance of gratitude, regardless of life’s challenges. Drawing his message from Psalm 100, the cleric described thanksgiving as a spiritual act of appreciation that acknowledges God’s faithfulness.
He noted that God has remained faithful to humanity, describing His love as genuine and unwavering. According to him, thanksgiving is essential for recognising God’s role in creation, salvation, forgiveness of sins, and restoration of mankind to Himself.
While appreciating God for His grace upon journalists, Pastor Olujuola commended the NUJ for beginning its Press Week celebrations with thanksgiving. He also applauded journalists for their contributions to societal development.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of members, noting that no member of the union had been lost since he assumed office four years ago.
“It is not by our doing but by the mercy and grace of Almighty God. We thank God for the gift of life, the progress of our members, and the steady growth of the union,” he said.
Adegbite urged members to sustain the unity and love that have characterised the union over the past four years.
He also appreciated the Minister of Youth, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, for his intervention at the Press Centre, describing his efforts as innovative and impactful. “He is not the first minister since 1999, but God has used him in a special way to intervene. God will help him fulfil his promises to us,” he added.
The NUJ chairman appealed to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to fulfill his promise of building new structure at Ondo NUJ Press Centre.
He described the media as the heartbeat of society and the oxygen of democracy, stressing the need for journalists to be adequately supported and protected.
Meanwhile, according to a press release jointly signed by the Chairman of the 2025 Press Week Committee, Banjo Egunjobi and the Secretary, Jacob Akintunde, activities will continue on Monday 15th December, with a free medical outreach for journalists, veteran journalists and their spouses at Press Centre Clinic at 10:00am, while Press Week Charity Visitation to the Ondo State Children’s Correctional Centre, Akure by 2:00pm.
The free medical outreach which will be carried in collaboration with the Ondo State Health Commission, will feature health talk, fasting blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and other medical evaluations, all aimed at improving the well-being of journalists in the state.
