Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday expressed sadness over the death of erstwhile managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Oluremi Oyo, describing her death as painful.
Obasanjo in his condolence letter sent to the widower of the deceased, Vincent Oyo, a copy of which was obtained in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the sudden demise left a very sour taste in his mouth.
Oyo, who was reportedly dead at a London hospital on Wednesday after a lost battle of an undisclosed illness, was special assistant to Obansajo on Media between 1999 and 2007.
Obasanjo, who described the late journalist as a thorough-bred professional, said, “Today, journalism has remained dominated by those who had been positively influenced directly or indirectly by her great professional sagacity and integrity.
“She was not only dutiful; she was professional and loyal to the core. Not only loyal in terms of her job but loyal in terms of being a Nigerian. Her integrity was above board and on no account could you persuade her to do what she considered not to be right.
He, however, extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed God Almighty to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Similarly, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has expressed sadness at the death of frontline female journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Dame Felicia Oluwaremilekun Oyo.
In a statement by his senior special assistant on Media, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun said he was shocked by the sudden death of the veteran journalist, describing it as a big loss to journalism in particular and the media industry in general.
“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 NAN.”
Further lamenting the death of Oyo, whom he said was a shining example to other female journalists, Amosun commiserated with her family, management and staff of NAN, the NGE as well as the media industry in Nigeria.
He prayed to the Almighty God to grant her soul eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.