By Banji Ayoola
Journalists, fans, relatives friends and admirers of the deceased ace broadcaster with the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, the vivacious Mrs Lara Olagboyegun, have in their hundreds, bombarded the social media expressing shock at her passage, and sharing fond memories of the time spent with her while alive.
They accompanied her with prayers, wishing her journey mercies and that her path be blessed.
They include a former governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Prince Adebanjo Edema; a former NUJ Chairman Ondo State Council, Mr Deji Ayelabowo; a former Chief Press Secretary to a former Ondo State Governor, Mr Kolawole Olabisi; a former Director of News and Current Affairs in Ondo State Radio-Vision Corporation, OSRC, Mr Ayo Ogedengbe; the Director of News and Current Affairs of OSRC, Ms Nike Busari; a former Chairperson of NAWOJ, Ondo State chapter, Mrs Sola Salami Omotoso; a former Permanent Secretary in the state, Mr Fola Amure; a former Director in Ondo State Civil Service, Mrs Yinka Odedele; a former Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, Ekiti State University, Chief Ajibade Olubunmi; and Mrs Olagboyegun’s bosom friend and colleague, Mrs Biola Olatunde, among numerous others.
The news of her passage was first broken by a former Director in the Ondo State Radio-Vision Corporation, OSRC, Mr Ayo Ogedengbe, on June 11 on his Facebook page saying: “I’m so sad. A friend and former colleague in the pen profession, Lara Olagboyegun is dead!!“
This was further corroborated by a former General Manager of NTA, Akure, where the late Lara distinguished herself as a professional, Mrs Tinu Olowofela, who wrote on her page that: “Lara it is with great sadness that I learnt of your death. May God rest your soul.”
Few hours later, Mr Kolawole Olabisi, a former Chief Press Secretary to a former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, followed with a moving elegy for the deceased.
Olabisi, in the elegy which was entitled: “For Anti Omolara Olagboyegun,” said: “I am devastated hearing of your untimely passage Anti Lara. I can’t forget the last discussion we had on March 22 this year and the anguish in your voice as you told me about your health conditions and your prayers for me at the end of our discussion.
I still choke with tears ever since I heard that you’re gone for ever!
And, as I type this, my eyes are still welling with tears.
It is sad that great guys keep going, albeit untimely, because of the parlous state of our Nation’s Medicare which has made many to die when they should have lived while our so called leaders from all tiers of government look the other way and pay lip service to our well being.
Today, the few lucky ones have taken to their heels, abroad to seek better deals for themselves and families!
Anti Lara, a veteran broadcaster, a goddess of the TV tube who delighted many with her unique ways of presenting the news on the NTA TV Station when the station ruled the Nigerian airwaves, may God grant you eternal rest in His Bosom and give your family the fortitude to bear the pains of your loss.
I will forever cherish the opportunity of being your aburo and the lessons learnt from you.
Am grateful for the last prayers you prayed for me and I keep saying a big Amen each time I remember them.
Am so devastated because you fought so hard to live but help was not forthcoming.
Rest on dear sister till we meet to part no more at the feet of our Lord.
But in all this, am confident you’ve gone to rest in a better place.
Adieu sister Omolara Olagboyegun.”
Supporting, Michael Olorunyomi wrote: Ore, you are very right. Our healthcare system needs urgent attention which an annual health budget of less than 7% can never achieve. If our Nigerian Lawyers can spend their energies to fight for improved healthcare the same way they do at elections petition tribunals, then things will change for better. May the soul of Anti Lara rest in peace.
Mrs Olagboyegun, aged 58, served as the Chief Press Secretary to the wife of the late Ondo State Governor Adebayo Adefarati, Mrs Adetutu Adefarati.
She was the pioneer Chairperson of the Ondo State chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists in 1989.
Following are some of the comments by the deceased’s former colleagues among others:
Layi Ademokoya May God give her a peaceful rest.
Deji Aiyelabowo An open minded creature. She was at the forefront in the collective effort to making the NUJ Press Centre, Akure a home for all journalists under my chairmanship between 1985 and 1989. May God grant her rest and make Paradise her final abode. Larry baby, as I was fond of calling you at our evening gatherings at the NUJ Press Centre in Akure over thirty years ago; you were always full of life with no dull moment. Everybody will pay this price that you’ve just paid at the appointed time. I pray God to comfort the family that you left behind, rest your soul and grant you Paradise.Good night!
Ajongbolo Sunday May her soul rest in perfect peace. A jolly good fellow, while with us on this planet.
Remi Olagokun Aunty Lara, so sad, may her soul rest in peace.
Adebanjo Edema Lara, rest in peace. You have done your best for the land through journalism.
Odedele Yinka Whao, sad to hear this. May the Lord grant repose of your soul darling sister. Rest in perfect peace in the bossom of our Lord Jesus
Tubosun Akinola I remember her NTA oba… ile….RIPHide or report this
Dele Ogundana What a great loss to her family and the pen profession in the state.
May the Lord console all the members of her family and grant her eternal rest.
Akindele Orimolade May her soul rest in peace.
Fola Amure Lord grant her rest.
Biola Olatunde Peace now Lara. Journey mercies into His Love.
Biodun Akin-Fasae Wow!!!
Jide Ogunluyi You mean Lara of NTA?
‘laide Akinnuoye Very sad! May God grant her eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Moses Amodu Haa, so sad, very sad indeed
Nike Omolafe Ogunbodede Haaaaaa Lara, o ma se o. LORD please in YOUR MERCY stop premature death in our midst.
Taye Fagbuyi Eeeee, aunty Lara, may her soul rest in peace.
Adeyemo Sheriff Sorry for the loss Sir
Segun Alo May her soul rest in peace
Nike Busari So sorry. I feel this too, when we spoke weeks back, she expressed the will & determination to live! Guess it was beyond her! May her soul rest! Goodnight aunty Lara!!!
Fatima Muraina What !!, Aunty Lara gone ke? When how,
haaaaa. What a blow to NAWOJ again, my heart bleeds
Olumofin Oluwole Ademuwagun May her soul rest in peace
Dapo Daramola Sis. Lara. Gone? Unbelievable!
Lateef Ibrahim Sister Lara dead? What a loss? May her soul rest in peace.Hide or report this
Ajibade Olubunmi Too bad .May her soul rest in peace. I remember when we were at NTA Akure, she was very vivacious. God will grant her eternal rest
Remi Olagokun Aunty Lara, so sad, may her soul rest in peace
Kayode Fasua Heh! God have mercy!
Banji Ayoola May her path be blessed.
Sola Salami Omotosho May her soul rest in peace.
Henry Bankole Laotan So, Lara is dead. What a pity! We were colleagues at NTA Ibadan and NTA Akure. May her soul rest in peace. Thanks Mrs Olowofela for the info. How are you? Great to see your face again; after 35 years? God bless you.
Moboluwade Ajijo Good Nite Anti Lara. May ur soul RIP
Akinwale Damilola May her gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
