By Juliet Ebirim
Top Nigerian journalists have continued to mourn the passing of Oluremi Oyo, the former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and a one time President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Mrs. Oluremi Oyo died at 62 in the United Kingdom on Thursday after battling with cancer. . Her colleagues have described her as an icon, a forthright journalist and a worthy role model. Their comments:

Her death is a big blow to us – Femi Adesina, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors

It is a big blow to us and it’s quite devastating. Within the last four weeks, we have lost three key people. First, we lost Dimgba Igwe, a fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Late Remi Oyo

Then few days ago, we lost Mike Akpan, the former Editor of Newswatch Magazine and also a fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. And now, Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, a former President of the Guild. It never rains, it pours.

This is rather too much for us to bear. Mrs. Oyo was a pillar and we cannot help but feel her absence. She will leave a vacuum. It is said that ‘nature abhors vacuum’, so that space will be filled, but it doesn’t mean that she’ll be forgotten. She has left her footprints on the sands of time and she’ll always be remembered.
It’s a great loss – Muhammed Garba, National President of Nigerian Union Of Journalists(NUJ)

It is a great loss to us. She was an accomplished journalist and a very serious-minded administrator. She was one journalist who got to the peak of her profession. Journalists will always remember her passion for the profession and her emphasis on ethics and professionalism.

She did a lot while she was the Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Former President Olusegun Obasanjo. She was able to maintain a very good and cordial relationship with the media and media associations like the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ) and Nigerian Guild Of Editors (NGE).

When she was President of NGE, she had a very cordial relationship with the NUJ. When she became the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she initiated quite a number of policies. She’s one of the success stories of NAN today.

Therefore, we are going to miss her. Our prayer is that young journalists should try to emulate her passion and belief in professionalism and ethics in journalism.
She was a leading light – Gbenga Adefaye, Former President, Nigerian Guild of Editors

Mrs. Oyo was an outstanding woman, journalist and professional.  She scored a lot of firsts as a journalist. She was the first female president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors(NGE). She was the first woman to be spokesperson to the president and she was also the first woman to be the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN). We related mostly on the platform of the NGE. She was very outstanding as the president and also resuscitated the guild and brought it back to limelight.

She turned it to a more respectable organisation, increased its membership and created a platform for more editors to begin to show interest in the professional leadership of the media. She was driven by a passion for excellence, training and leadership development. She remained a mentor to many of us. She was particular about driving excellence, leaving a legacy in terms of building transparency, encouraging accountability, with emphasis on capacity building. She was very loyal and committed.

She did her best and will always be remembered for her meaningful contributions. She’ll be missed for her mentoring roles and for being a leading light.
We have lost a strong pillar – Bonnie Iwuoha, Former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists

Remi was a great woman and an excellent professional journalist. She never settled for anything other than the best and she encouraged all those who worked and associated with her to attain greater heights.

She was a quintessential mother, she was exemplary in every respect. Her exit is a great loss to the Nigerian media. I don’t know how a replacement will be found, but I pray that God will help us all. The likes of Remi are needed to inculcate in the younger ones, the virtues that go with journalism.

Her exit has taken a very strong pillar out of the media profession. The last time we spoke, she said she wanted to go into training of younger ones to inculcate in them, what she had acquired over the years.

But we have lost that now, because she’s no longer there to carry out what she desired to do. I want to use this opportunity to encourage other eminent professionals in the media, who passed through the mill, who know, cherish and honour virtue. Let Remi’s exit serve as a clarion call for them to rise and bring up the younger ones in this part of honour.

It would help the profession a great deal, otherwise Remi’s death will cost us so much.
She was a perfect lady – Debo Adesina, Editor in Chief,  The Guardian Newspapers

Mrs. Oluremi Oyo was a perfect lady, very hardworking and compassionate. Though her family and journalism will go on, she’ll be greatly missed. The memories of her kindness and thoroughness as a professional will live with us forever. The memories of her good deeds will always remain with us. May her soul rest in peace.