Veteran Journalist Remi Oyo Dies At 62, Jonathan, Others Extol Her Virtues

According to Vincent Oyo, husband to former managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Remi Oyo, the ace journalist has died in the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 while receiving cancer-related treatment.

The late Oyo, who was born in 1952 began her illustrous career at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), currently known as Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in 1973 before joining up with NAN in 1981 as a desk editor, leaving the agency as principal editor in 1985, becoming the first woman in the agency’s history to be so highly placed.

From NAN, she became the Nigerian bureau chief of the Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS) before she was promoted to West African bureau chief.

Oyo also served as secretary of the Nigerian guild of editors before being elected as first female president of the guild from 199 to 2003, setting up the present secretariat of the guild in the NAN complex, Iganmu.

She also had a number of political appointments including being on the constitution drafting committee set up by Abdulsalami Abubakar to draft the 1999 constitution which ushered in the present democratic dispensation. She also served as senior special assistant for media and publicity to former president Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003 to 2007, the first woman to hold such a position.

After leaving her presidential post, she went on to become the managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria.

In 2011 she was ordained as a papal dame of the order of St. Gregory the great by pope Benedict XVI

She would have turned 62 on Sunday, October 12, 2014 and is survived by her husband, two children, Otome and Okiemuote and two grandchildren, Sunday and Yomi Oke.

Following the death of the ace journalist, condolences has begun pouring in from several notable quarters including president Goodluck Jonathan, minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, former Lagos state governor, Bola Tinubu among others.

President Jonathan, speaking through a press release signed by Reuben Abati, his special adviser on media and publicity and dated Thursday, October 2, 2014, expressed sadness extending his sincere condolences to the family of the the late NAN managing director.

President Jonathan also reached out to the Nigerian guild of editors and the management and staff of NAN as well as Oyo’s numerous friends, colleagues and proteges, consoling them on the death of a woman who he said had lived a fulfilled life which saw her excel in a formerly male dominated field, even to becoming the first female presidential spokesperson in the country’s history.

He further stated that although she received quite a number of accolades in the course of her very distinguished career, she will long be remembered for her enviable leadership qualities, professionalism, motherliness and her amiable transformation of NAN during her tenure as the agency’s managing director, praying that her soul rests in peace.

In the same vein, senator Musiliu Obanikor, the minister of state for defence has expressed shock and sadness over the demise of dame Oyo.

Speaking via a statement signed by his press secretary Ohimai Amaize, Obanikoro said “Mama Koro” as he affectionately referred to the the late Oyo played the role of a mother in his life, adding that his story will be incomplete if the late Mrs. Oyo was not a part of it.

He hailed her as an icon of perfection, service and integrity extolling her for her diligence and commitment in all spheres of her life, private and public, adding that the space left by the accomplished journalist will be left unfilled.

Obanikoro commiserated with her family, praying that her gentle soul finds respite.

On his part, former governor of Lagos state and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the passing away of Oyo as one death too many, adding that it was a sad day for journalism.

Tinubu described the late veteran as an icon, a leader and a pacesetter. He added that her charisma made her stand out amongst others, stating that the Nigerian media is what it is today because of her diligence in stewardship.

The former governor extended his condolences to Oyo’s husband, family and the Nigerian media of which she was part and parcel, saying that “Her legacy endures and though dead, the candle will still burn in her honor.”

In conclusion, Tinubu said: “As we mourn her demise, we must offer supplication for many who face similar health challenges that they will receive healing. May her soul rest in peace.”