By Banji Ayoola
An ex chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council, former Special Adviser on Labour Matters to ex Governor Olusegun Mimiko, and a former governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Comrade Adedayo Fadahunsi, has passed on.
The NUJ which broke the news in a statement by its secretary in Ondo State, Mr Leke Adegbite, said that he died at the early hours of Tuesday, November 3 at an undisclosed hospital in the state during a protracted illness.
According to the statement: “The Chairman, Adetona Aderoboye, executives and entire members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council have received the untimely death of one of the union’s former Chairmen, Comrade Dayo Fadahunsi with rude shock and sadness.
“Fadahunsi, a Veteran Journalist, who retired from the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation, (OSRC), also served as Assistant Secretary, NUJ OSRC Chapel from 1984 to 1986; Assistant Secretary Ondo State NUJ from 1986 to 1989 and Chairman, Ondo State NUJ from 1997 to 1999.
“The icing on the cake of his blossoming unionism career was his emergence as the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ondo State Council in 1997, while he served as the Special Adviser on labour matters to the state governor during the Olusegun Mimiko’s administration between 2009 and 2017.
“The Owo-born Labour Veteran was also a former LP and PDP Governorship aspirant in the state in 2016 and 2020.”
The union described the deceased as one of the best Chairmen that had presided over the Union, who contributed immensely to the development of media industry in Ondo state.
It said: “Ondo NUJ also notes that the departed Labour leader was a goal getter, cerebral and Vibrant journalist who displayed high level of discipline and professionalism during his journalism practicing days.
“The Union also observes with satisfaction various contributions of late Fadahunsi to Labour movement in the state in particular and the nation in general.
“Ondo NUJ will not forget the deceased’s vibrancy and commitments even in retirement, he contributed immensely to his profession and NUJ growth in the state till his demise.”
His passage has triggered showers of tributes from the NUJ, his former colleagues, Ondo State Government and PPD among others.
The state government in its tribute titled “Dayo Fadahunsi Exemplified Courage, Commitment”, and signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, said: “The news of the demise of erudite labour leader, Comrade Dayo Fadahunsi came as a very rude shock, to say the least.
“This is quite grieving; a pinching moment for all in Ondo State in particular and the Labour family in Nigeria.
“Comrade Fadahunsi was, undoubtedly, a selfless leader in his chosen areas of interest. He followed the path of service and altruism in his days as State Chairman, Ondo State Council of the NUJ.
“As the foremost Labour leader in the State while he held sway as State Chairman of NLC, he gave his all and endeared himself to the entire work force. His passion and compassion were incurably, palpable.
“Unarguably, Fadahunsi’s foray into partisan politics was to deepen his commitment to service through the ballot. In no small measure therefore, his contributions and participation in politics were valuable and qualitative enough to enrich the polity. Indeed, he exemplified courage, commitment and shrewd determination.
“We will all sorely miss him.”
The PDP in its own, titled “Comrade Dayo Fadahunsi’s exit: A great loss” and signed by its Ondo State Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Ondo State received the news of the demise of Comrade Dayo Fdahunsi as a rude shock.
“Our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and all our members in Owo Local Government Area. We have lost a Unionist, a Journalist, Businessman, Politician and an organiser of Men and resources to achieve great effect.
“As much as we are overwhelmed with grief, we take solace in the fact that Comrade Fadahunsi lived a fulfilled life.
“We pray for God’s protection over the family and the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
In his own, the Publisher of The Radiance and immediate former Editor of The Hope, Mr Banji Ayoola, said”: “We accompany Mr Dayo Fadahunsi with our warm, loving thoughts, wishes and prayers. May he find help on his path onwards and upwards. May helpers lovingly ring him around and lead him on towards the brilliant light ahead in his front, the light that will eventually lead him towards the Luminous Kingdom of the Lord, the Most High and Almighty Father, upwards towards the Light! Amen.”
