Adepoju to donates 500k compensation from Shooting Stars to Orphanages, Journalists
Adepoju to donates 500k compensation from Shooting Stars to Orphanages, Journalists
A foremost Sports Journalist,Tobi Adepoju who was attacked by the irate fans of Shooting Stars in Ibadan has decided to offer the compensation from the club to Orphanage and sponsor Journalist to Broadcasting school.
Recall that the league management company (LMC) on Friday fined Shooting Stars N3 million for breaching match rules and a sum of N500,000 for damages and medical bills of Tobi Adepoju.
Adepoju in a post on his Facebook page on Saturday while appreciating his colleagues and football authorities for the support said he would be donating the money to Orphanage homes and sponsor two Journalists to Broadcast Academy after accessing the funds.
Noting the fact that he has been covering the league for the past 12 years , the Future Eagles media officer expressed the urgent need for the league management to discourage violence at match venues.
The letter reads:
“I appreciate my colleagues for their support, they stood for me and seek for justice. I am grateful for your love and kindness. I can’t stop appreciating my colleagues. I love you all.
I appreciate my friends and social media family, the support was overwhelming. My little contribution to Nigerian Football and NPFL was appreciated.
Special appreciation to Mr. Olami (@OlamiUthman), he is the hero of this struggle. The video he recorded exposed the terrible incident.
I have received calls and messages from NFF Executive Members, LMC officials, Clubs officials, and Football stakeholders, I appreciate them all. They encourage me to stay strong and put the incident behind me.
It is tough to forget, but I have to be courageous and find the strength to keep it going. I was lucky to survive the mob and I am grateful to God for keeping me alive.
I have seen the verdict and I appreciate the LMC for protecting the media, this is not about me, but we must end media brutality in our football. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Football administrators, gullible backroom staff, and their touts can’t continue to bully the media.
The truth, the justice we asked for is not because of money but to fight this battle against media brutality. From different generations to my generation, several colleagues have suffered media brutality, death threats, and more. IT MUST END NOW! The freedom of speech must be activated to allow constructive criticism to strive, this will help us to shape our football structure.
I have spoken with my family, and we have decided to donate the N500,000 to the orphanage and also to support my younger colleagues.
There are processes that the LMC must activate before I can access the funds, when I access the funds, I will communicate via my social media accounts.
⁃ I will visit orphanage houses in Ibadan and Lagos (Alagbole community will be a priority) to make donations.
⁃ I will sponsor two younger colleagues willing to take the Basic Journalism course at the National Broadcast Academy in Ikeja, Lagos.
The past few days have been emotional for me and my family, I am confident I will survive the emotional trauma and get back on my feet. I have invested 12 years of my life reporting the NPFL, traveling day and night, surviving accidents, robbery, and many more. I have got the DNA, smile!
Kudos to the Police, they saved my life. If not for the Police, the story could have been different.
God bless you all for the support.
SIGNED: Tobi Adepoju (@OgaNlaMedia).
Among many other sanctions, Shooting Stars have been asked to play their next three home games behind closed doors with a year ban on the Media Officer, Tosin Omojola and Kits Manager, Majolagbe Komolafe inclusive in the punishment.
3SC are yet record victory in their last five games and currently occupies 12th position on the log with 39 points.
The team will face Dakkada FC in their next game away from home.
