The International Press Institute, (IPI), has mourned the death of its Matriach, Hajia Bilikisu Yusuf who died in Saudi Arabia. Hajia Yusuf died in the stampede that occurred in Mecca, yesterday. She was among the over 717 pilgrims who lost their lives during the Islamic commemoration of Jamarat, which is the “stoning of the devil” with pebbles.

In a statement by Raheem Adedoyin, Secretary, IPI Nigerian National Committee, said , ” Hajia Yusuf was not just the first female editor from Northern Nigeria, but the first and only female  Nigerian member to ever serve on the IPI Executive Board in Vienna.”

” It is with profound sadness, therefore, to learn of the tragic death of the same Hajia Bilkisu in the stampede that occured in Mecca, Saudi Arabia yesterday.

“Hajia, as we fondly called her,  was not just the first female editor from northern Nigeria, she was an active member of IPI and infact, the first and only female  Nigerian member to ever serve on the IPI Executive Board in Vienna.

 “Hajia Bilkisu was the matriarch of the IPI Nigerian National Committee; she was integrity personified. So self-disciplined, she hardly missed any IPI event and paid her dues( including this year’s) promptly.

“Mallam Mohammed Haruna, Hajia’s media boss and constant media companion delivered her message at the book launch in Lagos on Sept 16 and even bought copies of the Awoyinfa/ Igwe-authored  book (50 World Editors) on her behalf.

“We mourn the departure of this iconic journalist with common touch and send our condolences to her family, the various organisations she served devotedly and the entire nigerian media community.

 May the Almighty Allah forgive Hajia Bilkisu Yusuf her earthly sins and give her family the fortitude to bear this great, irreparable  loss.”