By Banji Ayoola
Shock, disbelief and dismay tore through the media industry in Ondo State yesterday as the news of passage of veteran journalist and iconic sports enthusiast, Mr. Ayo Ogedengbe after a brief illness, filtered in.
His veteran seniors and colleagues, those he mentored in the profession, his many friends on the social media as well as his numerous admirers statewide, many of whom thronged his Oba Ile Housing Estate residence, were surprised that the lively Baba Ogandu, or Oged, as he was fondly called, who was always pregnant with rib cracking jokes, had passed on.
Ogedengbe, who was a former columnist with The Radiance, passed on early yesterday at just 68, shortly after he wrote his new attitude to life, which embraces all and strives to give joy to all indiscriminately, and warm wishes, as he marched towards 70.
Sympathisers who thronged his residence, mainly media practitioners wore sad mood, discussing his virtues.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, who was among the early callers at his residence in a statement said no words were adequate to describe Ogedengbe’s exit.
He said that the state government and the people “feel this blow of an immeasurable impact. This is a shared moment of pains, tears and burden in the heart. Our consolations, all the same, remains the legacies of hardwork, incurable quest for excellence Oged bequeathed.
His boss and bosom friend at the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation, OSRC, and now a member of the Board of Directors there, Mr Soji Alakuro, was so touched that he placed on his Facebook wall Ogedengbe’s picture and question “WHAT IS LIFE?” He said that words were not enough to describe Oged.
On his own, the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Owena Press Limited, publisher of The Hope, Sir Ademola Adetula who visited the residence of the deceased, while condoling the widow, described Ogedengbe’s passage as a rude shock.
He however told her to take solace in the good name and works her husband left behind, saying anywhere the name Oged is mentioned, it speaks volume of his virtues.
Adetula said Oged was known as a social crusader, who fought till death, the cause of the downtrodden without taking advantage of them.
He said: “In his career, he excelled and his records and good works would always be remembered.”
On its part, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, described Ogedengbe’s death as a rude shock.
In a statement signed by the State Secretary of the Union, Mr Leke Adegbite, the union described late Ogedengbe popularly known as a go getter, straightforward, bold and disciplined journalist.
The Union also noted various contributions of the veteran especially in broadcasting industry in Ondo state, as he trained many broadcasters and journalists.
It said: “Ondo NUJ will not forget the deceased’s vibrancy even in retirement, he contributed positively to his profession and his Okeagbe Akoko community till his demise.”
On its own, the State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, in its condolence message said it received the news of the demise of Ogedengbe as a rude shock.
It said: “Ogedengbe was an outstanding leader and was actively engaged in all activities related to the development of sports in the state especially in broadcasting, even after his retirement from active service.”
Also, in a statement issued by its Secretary, the Radio, Television, Theatre And Arts Workers’ Union, RATTAWU, in Ondo State, said the entire members are more pained that he left the scene when his services to humanity were needed; but charged his family members to take solace that he lived a worthy life .
Meanwhile, Ondo state government has described Ogedengbe’s death as a very painful one with deep cut that left an indelible scar.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, noted that government and indeed, the good people of Ondo State felt the blow of an immeasurable impact. This is a shared moment of pains, tears and burden in the heart, it said.
In the statement titled: “The Exit, the Pains, the Burden,” government said: “The news flashed, yet again, of another sad one. This time around, the subject is one of Ondo’s best, the iconic sports enthusiast and broadcast legend, Ayo Ogedengbe.
“A deep cut it is. An indelible scare, though unseen, has been wrought on our collective psyche in the noble Pen Job, no doubt.
“To re-echo his virtues, the values he manifested and the depth of his positive impact on his first love-Journalism, is an unpretentious time waster. He did represent all, to the admiration of society with palpable passion.
“We are consoled the more, because the name remains Ayo Ogedengbe.”
His column in The Radiance was “Sports Arena with Ayo Ogedengbe” where he fed his readers with in-depth analyses of sport stories worldwide, drawing from his rich fountain of experience as a Sports reporter and Editor of many years standing.
In a story titled: “As I head towards 70 – Ayo Ogedengbe,” which was published on June 12, 2020 by this newspaper, the deceased wrote:
“I have crossed 66 and I am heading to 70. What sort of change am I feeling in me?
And this is it, I share with you all…..
- After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my friends, now I have started loving myself.
- I have just realised that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
- I have now stopped bargaining with vegetables and fruits vendors. After all, a few naira more is not going to burn a hole in my pocket, but it may help the poor fellow save for his or her daughter’s school fees.
- I pay the taxi driver whenever I have cause to go out in a public transport without waiting for the change. The extra money might bring a smile on his face. After all, he is toiling much harder for a living than me.
- I have stopped telling the elderly, especially my 92 year old mother, that they’ve already narrated that story many times. After all, the story makes them walk down the memory lane and relive the past.
- I have learnt not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. After all, the bonus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
- I give compliments freely and generously. After all, it’s a mood enhancer, not only for the recipient, but also for me.
- I have learnt not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. After all, personality speaks louder than appearances.
- I walk away from people who don’t value me. After all, they may not know my worth, but I do.
- I remain cool when someone plays dirty politics to outrun me in the rat race. After all, I am not a rat and neither am I in any race.
- I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. After all, it’s my emotions that make me human.
- I have learnt that it’s better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. After all, my ego will keep me aloof whereas with relationships I will never be alone.
- I have learnt to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it may be the last.
- I am doing what makes me happy. After all, I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to me.”
Ogedengbe was Head of News and Current Affairs of OSRC. He was the station’s pioneer Sports Editor and pioneer treasurer of Ondo state Sport Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN and a pioneer board member of Sunshine Stars.
He was later moved to the Ondo State Ministry of Information where he retired.
He was born on May 3, 1952 at Okeagbe Akoko in the Akoko North West area of Ondo State. He is survived by an aged mother, wife and children.
