Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has condoled journalists in the state and the family of a departed member of the state chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Funsho Ojo.
Ojo, who was until his passage the state correspondent of the Nigeria Pilot Newspaper, died in the early hours of Thursday following a brief illness.
In his condolence message through his spokesman Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor said:
“On behalf of the Governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, I express my condolence to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ondo State over the death of one of its members, Mr. Albert Ojo, who died on Thursday.
“Mr. Ojo, an elder in the Union and a prominent member of the Correspondents Chapel, was the Ondo State Correspondent of the Pilot Newspaper.
‘Over the past two decades, I have had the pleasure of relating with Mr. Ojo on professional and personal levels and I can describe him as a thorough professional and a man of integrity and humility.
“Mr. Ojo was a diligent and hardworking veteran journalist who conducted his professional and personal activities with decorum, modesty and uprightness.
“His death is a great loss to the journalism profession and I commiserate with his family, the Correspondents Chapel and the State Council of the NUJ.
“May God grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss and may his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
Announcing the passage yesterday in a statement titled “ONDO NUJ LOSES SENIOR JOURNALIST” the NUJ said:
“THIS MORNING WE LOST ONE OF OUR SENIOR MEMBERS, ALBERT OJO ‘BABA ONIDI’ (OF NUJ CORRESPONDENTS’ CHAPEL).
“HE DIED AT AN AKURE HOSPITAL DURING A BRIEF ILLNESS. HE WAS STILL AT THE CHAPRL’S OFFICE YESTERDAY FULL OF LIFE.
“UNTIL HIS DEATH, MR OJO WORKED WITH NIGERIA PILOT NEWSPAPER.
“ONDO STATE NUJ CONDOLES THE FAMILY, HIS CHAPEL & MEDIA PROFESSIONALS OVER THIS UNFORTUNATE DEVELOPMENT.
“IN VIEW OF THIS, TODAY’S JULY 2024 EDITION OF ONDO NUJ CONGRESS IS HEREBY CANCELLED IN HONOUR OF THE DEPARTED COLLEAGUE.
“MAY LORD GRANT HIS SOUL PEACEFUL REST. BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER BY THE FAMILY.”
Also, the state NUJ Correspondents Chapel in a statement titled “Funsho Ojo’s Exit,
Correspondents Chapel Declares 3-Day Mourning”, and signed by Tosin Ajuwon, Chairman, and Osagie Otabor, Secretary,
said:
“It is with great sadness that members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, announced the passing of one of their leaders and elders, Mr Albert Funsho Ojo.
“Mr Ojo, a veteran journalist and correspondent of the Nigeria Pilot Newspaper in the state, died in the early hours of Thursday following a brief illness. His sudden death is a great loss to us as we gathered to console his bereaved family.
“Until his death, he was a very hardworking man who took his job with passion and utmost dedication to duty. Mr Ojo would be remembered for his integrity and services, not only to the journalism profession but to the growth of the chapel.
“While we grieve over his sudden death, the chapel has declared a three-day mourning period starting from this Thursday till Saturday to mourn the departed soul. A candle Night walk will also hold on Saturday from 6 pm as part of honour for late Ojo.
“Subsequently, the planned Correspondents Chapel Week has been postponed.
“The Week which climaxed on July 30th, 2024, with a lecture and conferment of awards on deserving individuals has been scheduled for a new date to be announced later.
“We asked our awardees, patrons and guests to understand our pains as our thoughts and condolences are with his family members and loved ones during this difficult time.”
