The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, on Thursday in Abuja described the late former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Dame Remi Oyo, as a woman that lived a life of deep faith in God.
Onaiyekan said this in his sermon at a requiem mass held in honour of the late Oyo at the Church of Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja.
Onaiyekan said Oyo was “a woman that very much lived her life, undertook great projects for humanity, recognised for her great assistance to people and at the same time a woman of deep faith in Christ.
“Many people probably do not know that the secret of her success in many things that she did in this world is found in the depth of her faith in God.”
The cardinal noted that like every good Christian, the late Oyo prepared for the life after by the good works she did while on earth.
He advised the faithful to always remember that “God is always beckoning on all to turn to Him”.
He also urged them to emulate the good works of the late Oyo, learn from her humility, hard work, dedication and respect to all.
Onaiyekan said: “When our sister, Remi, was here at the Villa, she always greeted me with some very ‘Catholic kind’ of respect.
“Her works led to her be admitted into a knighthood by the Catholic Church.”
Onaiyekan urged “everyone to pursue power, wealth, do things right but at the same time remember that whatever they do on earth will be meaningless if it has no eternal value”.
A former Head of the Federal Civil Service, Stephen Oronsaye, who led the Oyo family in a thanksgiving procession, said the people should celebrate and not mourn late Oyo because she was a role model who was always there to uplift her colleagues.
Oronsaye said the late Oyo, in and out of service, never failed to advice those around her to shun materialism, offer education to their children and to be close to God.
In a tribute, Joe Bankole, the Deputy Director (Multi-Media) of NAN and former aide to the late MD, extolled the virtues of late Oyo who taught her workers hard work, humility and never failed to advice that they left good works to posterity.
Dr. Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media, who was also at the mass, told NAN that the Presidency missed the late Oyo.
“You can see from the way people have turned out and the kind of testimonies that have been given that this is actually a celebration of life, a life of distinction, a life that was very well lived,” Abati said.
He urged the people to learn from the life of Oyo who “was a great mother, a super editor, wife, and citizen who excelled in all her life endeavours”.
Dr. Peter Odilli, former Rivers State Governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Justice Mary Odili, described the late Oyo as a great lady, a beautiful sister and a wonder mother.
Odili said: “Remi was unique.
“She was a good person.
“I pray that God will accept her and give her eternal rest.”
Hon. Abike Dabiri also described her as an admirable woman and selfless person.
Dabiri said: :She was a woman that we all admired so much, full of compassion, integrity, selflessness and very hardworking with many firsts.
“First female president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, first female MD of a news agency and first female spokesperson to a president.”
Kanayo O. Kanayo, a veteran actor and the Chairman of the Board of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, said Oyo was a very brilliant woman who had a brilliant career.
Kanayo said: “I have been following her achievements.
“She never had any scandal.
“I am very proud of who she was.”
Dr. Erieke Bennett of All Diaspora African Forum, said Oyo was a phenomenal woman who had touched so many lives in and outside Africa.
Bennett said: “We are happy to be celebrating her life and it’s a life so worth living.”
Others who attended the mass included staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria; the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri; and a former Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Segun Runsewe.
The late Oyo served as Managing Director of NAN and Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The late Remi Oyo died at 61 on October 1.
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