By Banji Ayoola
Veteran broadcaster and chairman of Ekimogun Communications Limited, owners of Eki FM radio station, Ondo City, Chief Jise Akinmurele, has passed on.
He was also a former chairman of Ondo State Radiovision Corporation, OSRC, whose tenure witnessed a remarkable surge in revenue internally generated by the station to complement its statutory subventions.
Akinmurele, the Itanporo of Ondo Kingdom, reportedly died on Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 78.Already, his life and times are being celebrated on the Facebook wall of another veteran broadcaster, Mr Ayo Ogedengbe, who worked under the leadership Akinmurele at the OSRC.
In his tribute, Ogedengbe wrote: “I received with shock this morning the news of the death of my former boss, Chief Jíṣẹ́olúwa Akínmúrelé, the Tàmpoò of Ondo.
“He was as tall as he was intelligent and competent in his chosen profession, journalism. He was an urbane, suave, cool and elegant gentleman.
“Uncle Jish, as he was fondly called, towered above us all in the News Department of OSBC/OSTV/OSRC and also when he became Chairman of the OSRC Board. I still spoke with him on phone three weeks or so ago and he was in high spirit not knowing that would be the last time I will be hearing that sweet sonorous voice laced with Ẹ̀gin intonation.”
Also, a former chairman of the state Council of Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ, Mr Deji Ayelabowo wrote: “A wonderful gentleman. Very straightforward. His support for me to emerge as the Chairman of the old Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in 1985 remains fresh in my memory.
“For the fact that the then incumbent Chairman of the Council was from his Chapel, who was also in the race for a second term, Chief Jise Akinmurele did not hide his interest in having me elected as Chairman of the Council.
“As he has now completed his own race and taken his exit to return to his Creator, I pray God to grant him Paradise and give the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. ”
Others who have paid glowing tributes to him include: Former Director of Ondo State Information Service, DIS, Chief Jaiye Kuye: “Life is a stage. We all have our exits and entrances. Jise was a great colleague. God Almighty will console his family.”
Also, a former General Manager NTA Akure, Mrs Tinu Olowofela and a former DIS, Mrs Julie Fayeun also wished him well.
Mr Animasaun Kolawole: “Met him through Yemi Adewetan when I was the GM of Positive fm, Akure. May all that that warm personality left behind be more prosperous and blossomed.”
Mr Layi Ademokoya, Former General Manager NTA, Akure: “One of the proud and confident senior colleague that I had the privilege of interacting with in my active professional years. Peaceful rest grant him O Lord and comfort his family.”
Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, an Ilawe Ekiti chief and former spokesman of Ekiti State University and Mr Seun Adetola, a former reporter at OSRC.
