Heritage Kehinde, our intern from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos reports on the 10th Remembrance Service for former Former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria.
Ten years ago when the former Mrs Oluremi Oyo, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former President Olusegun Obasanjo died, Reverend Vincent Olofinkua, would have wanted to preach the sermon at her burial based on their close relationship.
He couldn’t because he was out of the country to study.
Ten years after the missed opportunity of paying glowing tribute to one of her most cherished parishioners, the Catholic priest on October 1 at the Catholic Church Presentation, Ikeja Lagos spoke on the life and times of the renowned journalist, who, in her lifetime contributed immensely to public affairs, lived a dignifying life for people to emulate and blazed the trail for other media professionals to follow.
At the remembrance and thanksgiving service attended by family, friends, colleagues and other well-wishers Rev Olofinkua described Oyo as a woman of remarkable talent and intelligence.
He said he admired her for her strength of character, her faith in God and her dedication to the church recalling an instance when the deceased extended her passion for natural plants to beautifully decorate the church premises because she believed that only natural plants were good for the altars.
Olofinkua also spoke of her tenure while serving President Obasanjo and as the Managing Director of the News Agency Nigeria.
“Her four-year tenure as Personal Assistant and Public Relations Officer to President Olusegun Obasanjo was a testimony to her abilities and the trust placed in her. She served the federal government with distinction, becoming an intellectual mark on the nation. As Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Felicia played a vital role in shaping the nation’s narrative.
“She was a champion of journalism and integrity and a fearless advocate for the freedom of the press. Her leadership has helped to ensure that the agency remains a reliable source of news and information for the Nigerian people. I was privileged to move along with her sometimes, and I know what the agency used to be, and how she has transformed those agencies with greater facilities, from one stage to another.”
Oyo, a journalist of first rank known for excellence in her profession started her career as a reporter with the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission as a reporter in 1973.
After years of working at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and an international news agency, she was appointed Senior Special Assistant/Spokesperson of Media and Publicity to then Nigeria’s President Obasanjo, as the first woman to attain such a position.
In 2007, Late President Musa Yar’Adua appointed her as the first woman Managing Director of NAN and emerged as the first woman President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Not only is she known for her professionalism in the Nigerian media space, Oyo according to those who know her was a woman with a generous and large heart who does not discriminate against anyone.
Her daughter, Okiemiota in her closing remarks, expressed gratitude on behalf of the family for everyone who had stood by them since her mother’s death and assured them that her mother’s legacy still lives on in the lives of many.