NAN sends off former MD

Jide Adebayo, the acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, said on Thursday that the immediate past MD of the agency, Oluremi Oyo, epitomised professionalism, excellence and humility.
Speaking at a send-off party for her on Thursday in Abuja, Adebayo showered encomiums on Oyo, describing her as the architect of recent innovations in the agency.
He said that Oyo meant so much to the management and staff of the agency, adding she was a mother and mentor to everyone while on the saddle.
He said: “For those of us who have gone under her tutelage, Mrs. Oyo means so much to most of us in the NAN family.
“I want to say without any fear of contradiction that she is the architect of the new NAN brand and the mother of the remarkable transformation in the agency.”
The acting MD said Oyo brought professionalism and sense of diligence to bear while she led NAN.
He said the agency witnessed unprecedented human and physical transformation under her, moving away from only text news items to multimedia services.
Folasade Esan, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, represented by a Director in the ministry, Dom Onyechi, described Oyo as an “exceptional journalist” who transformed NAN.
Also speaking, Josephat Ugwu, the Deputy Director, Technical Services, noted that the former MD did her best to reposition the agency.
Other members of staff, including the Director, Multimedia, Joe Bankole, paid glowing tribute to Oyo, describing her as a wonderful woman who had led the agency with passion.
Responding, Oyo thanked the staff of NAN for the honour and urged them to rededicate themselves to the efforts of taking the agency to greater height.
Before her appointment as the MD of NAN, Oyo was the Special Adviser on Media to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
She worked as News Editor in NAN between 1981 and 1985 and was also the first female Managing Director of the agency.
She was appointed to that position in 2007 and left at the end of her tenure in July 2013.