Our graduate intern from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), JIMOH ELIZABETH OLUWASEYI writes on the enduring advocacy work by the founder of Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) who died on October 5, 2006.
I really wished to have met you in person, after hearing so much about what you have done and seeing what you’ve accomplished within a short time frame
I knew it was more than a coincidence walking into your organisation located at No,14 Fadare Street on August 15, 2024, to meet one of your board members, who happened to be my coach at Media Career Development Network.
Right from the entrance into that massive building, I could vividly see your handiwork, with books, documents, artwork, pictures and campaign materials about HIV/AIDS.
What struck me much later as I climbed the staircase was this mini-library that I love so much because of the fascinating quotes and books staring at me, beckoning me to have a feel of them.
I remembered how I dusted up some of the items and helped rearrange the table at the centre of this mini library which has become a safe abode for me because I could easily and conveniently retreat and resort to this spot whenever I needed to attend to important assignments.
Somehow I stumbled on some abandoned items and I said to myself -“why are these unused branded vests about HIV/AIDS kept here?” I soliloquised as I peeped into one of the bags that contained some campaign materials left in a corner behind the library shelves.
MORE QUESTIONS SEEKING FOR ANSWERS ON MY MIND
As I kept struggling to find answers to my why?
Sooner, I came across your accomplishments in one of the books titled- “The Journalist I Ought to Be,” revealing your identity which gave me a glimpse of who you are and where you are right now!
The author of the book who happens to be my coach, perhaps read my mind when he revealed to me that Uncle Sanmi Falobi, Project Coordinator for a media NGO was your biological brother while you were the Founder of JAAIDS- Journalist Against Aids, an NGO noted for transparency and good practice.
He said so much about your vision and passion for using the media as a tool for advocacy in promoting and creating awareness about HIV and AIDS.
I was thrilled listening to Mr Otufodunrin who told us about how this NGO you started was a product of foresight which began on purpose because you intentionally resigned from the much respected Punch Newspaper to follow this passion at a younger age.
A 3-DAY CROSS CARPET FROM MCDN TO JAAIDS
Perhaps my intense heart-cry and the quest to know more about this your NGO called JAAIDS, divinely got approval a few days later, with an email from JAAIDS which read thus-
“Dear Mrs Oluwaseyi Jimoh
Greetings and trust this email finds you well.
Journalists Against AIDS(JAAIDS) Nigeria received a short-term grant in April 2024 to implement the IMPACT 4TB project in Lagos State through support from the AURUM Institute and UNITAID.
This project is coordinated by the Treatment Action Group ( TAG)… Following recommendations from Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, we are pleased to invite you to attend and serve as a Rapporteur for this 3-day Training.
You would be expected to document key issues arising from this training as well as develop and submit a detailed report to the Organisers within 1 week of the event.
An MOU will be shared with you on the expectations as well as the fees for your services ahead of this training.”
It was a bang for me!
A CLEARER PICTURE PERCEIVED AT JAAIDS TRAINING
I became excited and felt elated and on arrival, I saw why JAAIDS are still in existence after facing so many storms.
The training organized by JAAIDS, became imperative because it was to promote literacy, acceptability, and demand for short-course tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) among eligible populations.
It had participants from various media houses, members of JAAIDS, relevant medical practitioners from the States and National Office and virtual audiences who are also important stakeholders.
The 3 days training at Orchid Hotel, Lekki Lagos was mind-blowing and amazing.
Recognizing the critical role that media plays in public health advocacy, JAAIDS, in partnership with the Lagos State TB Control Programme, organized this training to empower journalists with the necessary skills to report on TB effectively.
The training organized by JAAIDS was insightful and met its objectives of raising media advocacy for TB as well as developing clear and uniform messages for awareness against myths and misconceptions about TB.
Indeed, this is a testament that JAAIDS have not deviated from the ancient landmark and the laid down legacy of the founder, which was- using the media as a tool for advocacy in promoting awareness about health-related issues.
THE STARTLING INTRODUCTION IN THE ROOM.
As the training came to day 3, which happened to be the final day, having my recommender as a key facilitator for the morning session, with a little introduction by the Executive Director of JAAIDS, Mrs Olayide Akanni who referred to the facilitator as Uncle Lekan, perhaps of his elderly composure and relevant impact as one of JAAIDS board members, but I later got a better clue to this, as the session proceeded.
As Uncle Lekan kick-started his session, he quickly took us down memory lane and intentionally touched down on the life and legacy of the brain box that masterminded the event and brought this organization called JAAIDS into existence.
THE LIFE OF A LEGEND IN A GLANCE!
“The man who founded JAAIDS was not a health reporter. He was a student of a graduate of Theater Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University back when it was University of Ife and started work at The Punch. He was the first Journalist to own a laptop to himself as he leveraged the numerous benefits of technology to his advantage.
“He resigned from Punch when he got a glimpse of how potent the media could be used as a tool for advocacy in promoting pressing issues and health-related matters that seems to interest this young man in his early thirties.” Mr Otufodunrin narrated.
I later discovered how JAAIDS founder began the NGO in 1997 and was registered under Nigerian Law as an Incorporated not-for-profit organization in 2000 with a vision and mission statement that read thus-
“We envision a Nigerian society where all persons can freely access information, facilities and services on HIV, AIDS, TB and other related infectious diseases and are empowered to utilize these for their personal well-being and sustainable national development.
“Our mission is to contribute to the prevention, care and control of HIV, AIDS and TB in Nigeria by providing innovative communication and advocacy interventions that will facilitate positive behaviour change to reduce the spread of HIV and TB and mitigate the impacts of AIDS.
THE SHOCK THAT SENT SHIVERS DOWN OUR SPINE
“Despite the ugly reputation of some NGOs who don’t live up to expectation, JAAIDS have done marvellously well and kept the ground running because of the principle of best practice and the ability to engage like minds in running along with the vision of the organization after losing its founder 18 years ago.” Mr Otufodunrin told participants at the training.
YOU CAN MEET HIM HERE…
Who is this man, that despite his absence for 18 years, men could still feel his impact in the room as participants at the event took time to reflect on the need to find and fulfil one’s purpose before the reality of Earth’s departure begins to beckon on all?
This man is a journalist on purpose, yes,
Mr Omololu Falobi has developed a passion and vision for how to make an impact in his profession.
He was a young sharp with dreams and Purpose.
He dared to follow his envisioned goal with passion and little did he know that his exit flight from planet Earth would be on October 5, 2006, at age 35.
TESTIMONIES DON’T LIE.
(Excerpt from online publications)
I gave it a thought to dig deep for research, using the internet as my support system to see if I could meet him, and I really saw he was made for more;
📍 Omololu was part of a Chicago Afrobeat Project record group;
His impact on the group was greatly felt and they testified thus-
“On a personal note, Omololu showed immense enthusiasm in partnering with the Chicago Afrobeat Project from our very first email exchange.
“He worked diligently with us to craft appropriate messages for our CD release party and ongoing communication at our performances.
We are further saddened that Omololu did not live to see CAbP’s largest donation to the organization which we contributed just days after his death (before hearing the news).
We look forward to working with the organization further and helping to promote Omololu’s vision for AIDS.”
https://chicagoafrobeatproject.com//killed-omololu-falobi-jaaids-founder-and-executive-director/)
📍 Omololu lived a life of selfless service-
According to Open Society Foundations via a press release published on their website-
(https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/newsroom/osi-mourns-loss-african-aids-activist-omololu-falobi)
The following was revealed about him-
“Omololu served as an African nongovernmental organization (NGO) delegate to the Programme Coordination Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and was a founding member of the Africa Civil Society Coalition.
The publication further referenced an editorial in Nigeria’s Vanguard newspapers from October 19 about Falobi thus- “he sensitized not only journalists but the public on the challenges of managing the HIV/AIDS virus. ..At a time when the world’s attention keeps drifting from combating the menace of HIV/AIDS, especially in Africa, Falobi’s death is a big loss to the tasking engagement of steadying the world’s focus on a scourge that combines with poverty and illiteracy to devastate Africa.”
THE REASON FOR THE PAIN
The Open Society Foundation in their online publication saw Falobi as a partner and inspirational strategist.
“Omololu Falobi, a partner and inspiration to OSI’s Public Health Program, passed away on October 5, 2006, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Omololu, 35, was a prize-winning journalist and founding director of Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS), which works closely with the Program’s Public Health Watch and Health Media initiatives who was killed in an armed robbery attack on his way home after a speaking engagement promoting social responsibility.”
HIS LEGACY IN HIS OWN WORDS
All of us have to choose to respond to the challenges of our times; for me, the challenge is HIV/AIDS.
—Omololu Falobi
MY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS COLOSSAL LOSS!
Though I wished to have met you in person, but I couldn’t, yet your impact has brought me immense gain, experience and first journalistic exposure as an intern who served as a Rapporteur during JAAIDs 3-day training and to top it, was the financial remuneration which was amazing!
Indeed your presence, despite your absence, wouldn’t permit me to ignore the urge to pen down my thoughts about your identity.
I am a living testament and a beneficiary of your legacy, affirming that- the vision you envisioned years after your demise is still functioning.
Today, October 5 is a day to remember how your work lingers in our hearts.
Indeed you’ve successfully carved your name on my heart, without you ever telling me- “forget me not!”
Though it’s hard to believe you left the stage without notice, but I think it’s not how far, but how well, and just as I found consolation when I lost my dad in the words of the preacher who said during the service of songs that-
“It’s much better to leave the stage when the ovation is high!” I now know that both of you are warriors who came, saw and conquered and it’s true to leave the stage when the ovation is high, than to live long and depart without being desired.
HONORING AN INSPIRING VISIONARY ON THE 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEPARTURE