No fewer than 70 sympathisers on Friday signed the condolence register of the immediate past Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Dame Oluremi Oyo, who died on October 1.
Oyo, a former presidential spokesperson and a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, died at a London hospital at the age of 61.
Some notable dignitaries from the mass media, the Catholic Church and Lagos State, where she lived, paid a condolence visit to her husband, Vincent.
Among the dignitaries was Gbenga Adefaye, the General Manager of Vanguard Media Limited, publishers of the Vanguard newspaper.
Adefaye described the late Oyo as a media heroine.
Adefaye, also a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, said that Oyo was a model for female journalists and a mentor in the journalism profession.
He said: “I can beat my chest to say that she was more than a mentor to me.
“She was a sister who brought me actively into the profession.”
Adefaye said that Oyo promoted the dignity of female journalists by setting the pace as the first female president of the guild, the first female presidential spokesperson and first female managing director of NAN.
Also among the sympathisers was a delegation from St. Joachim Catholic Church, Ijegun, Lagos, where she worshipped.
The leader of the delegation, Martins Nwabuwa, described Oyo as a rare gem.
He said: “Mrs. Oyo had qualities that were difficult to come by.
“She was a rare gem to the church and the country at large.”
A retired Director of the West African Examinations Council, Dr. Clementinah Owokade, said that Oyo was a caring mother to the youth and less privileged children.
Owokade said: “Aunty Remi, who called me her sister, had passion for the youth, which she demonstrated in organising seminars and workshops for youth empowerment.
“A lot of children and youths will feel her departure.”
President Gooduck Jonathan had on Thursday described Oyo as an exemplary and inspiring trail blazer, who attained great success in a profession hitherto dominated by men.
The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, said that Oyo’s death was a great loss to the journalism profession and Nigerian women.
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