Fashola, Oshiomhole, Amosun Mourn Remi Oyo

Jethro Ibileke/Benin & Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Three governors have joined other Nigerians to mourn the death of  former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, and former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, Dame Felicia Oluwaremikun Oyo.

Oluwaremikun Oyo, the first female president of the NGE,  on Wednesday died of cancer-related ailment in the United Kingdom, where she went for treatment.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN,  in his condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Hakeem Bello, expressed sadness over the death of the seasoned journalist, adding that she would be sorely missed by all.

Fashola noted that her passage while being very painful should also serve as inspiration to all media professionals to always strive for excellence.

He recalled the dynamism which  Oluremi Oyo brought to bear into her national assignment as spokesperson to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and her leadership of the NGE and the NAN.

The Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole also commiserated with the President of  NGE over the death of the seasoned journalist.

In the message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Comrade Oshiomhole, described the death of Mrs. Oyo as a sad loss, not only to her family and the media industry but to the entire nation which she served with vigour and forthrightness.

“Remi Oyo was a dedicated journalist who gave her all for the growth of journalism and from my interactions with her, she came to me as a detribalized Nigerian who had deep passion for her country. Her humility, despite her exalted position as MD of NAN, served as a source of inspiration to many young journalists who looked to her as reference point in their chosen career.

“While we grieve her death, we take solace in the fact that she lived a worthy life as a mother, an accomplished journalist, and a devout Christian. It is my fervent prayer that the good Lord will grant her soul eternal rest and her family the fortitude to bear the loss,” Oshiomhole said.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State similarly expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of the veteran journalist

In a statement released on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media,  Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama, the state governor said: “Dame Oyo was not only an icon of an ideal journalist but also a trailblazer in the pen profession who was well respected in the media world. I recall those days at the Villa, when I was a Senator, I used to marvel at her energy and dedication to duty as Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo between 2003 and 2007. I used to wonder how a woman could keep up with such a strenuous job as the first female spokesperson to a president,”,Amosun said.

The governor also acknowledged her superlative performance in all professional capacities, noting that, “as a reporter, editor and Nigerian bureau chief of Rome-based Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS), Remi Oyo exhibited a passion for journalism, which made her attain greater heights, including election as the first female President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and subsequent appointment as Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria

Meanwhile, a service of songs is scheduled to hold Friday (today) at  3pm in honour of the Vice Chairman  of The Sun Publishing Limited, Pastor Dimgba Igwe, who was killed by a hit-and-  run driver on 6 September while jogging around his Okota residence in Lagos State.

It is gathered that another service of songs will be held on 10 October at his residence in his hometown at Okafia, Igbere ,in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, easthern Nigeria, while the funeral service will hold  on Saturday, 11 October, at Okafia, Igbere Primary School and interment will follow immediately at the deceased’s  residence.