Abuja – The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) chapel and FCT Council paid glowing tributes to Mrs Oluremi Oyo, former NAN Managing Director, who died in London on Oct, 1, aged 61.

The FCT NUJ Council, led by its Secretary, Mr Emma Ogbeche, visited the agency and signed the condolence register.

Receiving the team, NAN’s Editor-In-Chief and Executive Director, Editorial Operations, Mr Isaac Ighure, extolled Oyo’s sterling qualities as “professional par excellence,” who scored first in many areas.

Ighure said Oyo was the first woman to hold the position of Presidential Spokesperson, the first woman to be appointed Managing Director of NAN and first President of the Guild of Editors.

He said she settled for nothing but the best and encouraged people to put in their best.

Ighure, who is the Secretary of Guild of Editors, said NAN staff would continue to remember her for her good works, her passion for training of staff and welfare when she was the Agency’s managing director.

“Mrs Remi Oyo was a pillar to Nigerian journalism and the Guild. She transformed the Guild and would always be remembered,’’ he said.

He added that her good legacies in the agency would be sustained as mark of honour and respect.

Earlier, Ogbeche said “these were sad times for Nigerian journalists and editors, who had lost three key members in their ranks.’’

He said the late Oyo was a leader in the profession who supported, assisted and mentored her subordinates.

Ogbeche noted that when Oyo was managing director of NAN, the agency maintained best practice in journalism and the welfare of workers was well taken care of.

Meanwhile, a statement issued in Abuja by the NUJ NAN chapel Chairman, Rev. Felix Ajide, said the union received the news of Oyo’s demise with sadness.

Ajide said “our amiable former managing director will have been 62 on Oct. 12, but it pleased her Creator to call her home at a time family and well-wishers look forward to celebrating her worthy life.

“We deeply mourn her demise and will greatly miss her dedication to the journalism profession, tireless leadership and contribution to the development of NAN and the media in Nigeria.

“As our mentor and leader in NAN, we recall with fond memories her passion and dedication to duty, strong commitment to staff welfare, her belief in hard work, reward for hard work and the unity of Nigeria.

“Her many friends, well-wishers and colleagues, will remember her profound decency and astuteness as the Senior Special Assistant, Media, to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.’’