The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has raised and presented N5,010,000 to the family of its late former Chairman, Comrade Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, to support the education and welfare of his three children.
The fund, raised through voluntary contributions from 265 members of the NUJ FCT Council, was formally presented to the family on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at a ceremony in Abuja.
The event was attended by members of the Council’s Executive, Chapel Chairmen and their executives, former and serving leaders of the Union, as well as other stakeholders.
The initiative was launched following the sudden death of Osadebamwen, with the Council mobilising its members and other well-meaning individuals to establish a dedicated Trust Fund for his children.
The Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, represented at the ceremony by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Yahaya Ndambabo, expressed sadness over the loss of the former Chairman and thanked God for the successful burial of the late journalist and union leader.
Ike said the Council had remained involved with the family since his death, stressing that the gesture was a demonstration of the strong bond of solidarity within the Union.
She disclosed that the N5.01 million was contributed by 265 members as of September 7, 2026.
“This fund is strictly for the education and welfare of these three children. Our responsibility does not end with raising the money; we must also ensure that it is properly administered and preserved for the purpose for which it was raised,” she said.
The NUJ FCT Chairman urged the family to administer the fund transparently and responsibly, with the best interests of the children as the overriding priority.
Presenting the dummy cheque on behalf of the Chairman, Ndambabo commended Madam Sarah Augustine, younger sister of the late Osadebamwen and representative of the family, for her commitment to the welfare of the children.
He acknowledged the sacrifices she had made in caring for the children and urged her to continue providing them with the love, guidance and support they need following the loss of their mother and subsequently their father.
Responding on behalf of the family, Augustine, in an emotional remark, expressed appreciation to the NUJ FCT leadership and members for standing by the family since the death of the former Chairman.
She said the family had not been abandoned during the difficult period, noting that the Union had continued to demonstrate support for the children.
“On behalf of the family, I sincerely appreciate the Chairman, the leadership and every member of the NUJ FCT Council,” she said.
Augustine also disclosed that she had received notification confirming the transfer of the N5,010,000 into the designated account even as the formal presentation of the dummy cheque was taking place.
She pledged that the fund would be managed responsibly and used strictly for the education and welfare of the children.
The presentation underscored the NUJ FCT Council’s commitment to the welfare of its members and their families, particularly in times of grief and loss.
The initiative also serves as a tribute to the memory of Comrade Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen while providing financial support towards securing the future of the three children he left behind.
