Senate President David Mark yesterday lamented the death of a frontline journalist and former managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Mrs. Remi Oyo.
Mark in a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh in Abuja, said the late Oyo distinguished herself as a professional and successful administrator of very high repute.
The Senate president said, “As an Editor, she was a pathfinder. As the president of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, she provided exemplary leadership that took the guild to a higher level.
“She was a great asset to the Nigerian media and a worthy daughter of the nation. We shall miss her robust and intellectual contributions to national development.”
He also recalled Oyo’s role as the media adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, during which she “exceedingly deployed her professional competence to the service of her fatherland.”
He further noted that Oyo would be remembered for her uncommon patriotism, honesty and commitment to nation building.
He therefore urged the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that Remi Oyo lived an accomplished life and left her positive foot print on the sands of time.
Also the Senate, through a statement by its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in Abuja, described as shocking the sudden death of Oyo.
The Senate recalled Oyo’s contributions to media development, particularly her pivotal role in revolutionising news gathering through wire services as exemplified in her sterling performance in NAN as its managing director.
According to the statement, “Senate is really shocked, knowing that her loss is another blow to the media industry in Nigeria coming in quick succession to other high profile deaths of notable media professionals in recent time.”
The statement also added that the Senate would really miss Oyo.