By Emmanuel Udom
It is no longer news that Femi Onayemi, a veteran journalist and correspondent of the defunct Concord Press of Nigeria, Lagos, is dead.
Funke Fajorin, his step-daughter, confirmed this online, saying her Dad was admitted to a private hospital on December 25, 2021, and died on December 30, following an undisclosed illness.
However, Fajorin says no date has been fixed for the funeral of the departed journalist.
Born September 6, 1940, in Eruwon, Ogun state, Onayemi worshipped at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG and Christ Embassy Church, both in Lagos.
When Onayemi clocked 80 years on September 6, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated him for his 50 active years in the journalism profession.
Buhari, in a press statement issued by Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesman in Abuja, “saluted the commitment of Pa Onayemi to a profession he loves dearly and noted that the departed journalist served variously as a reporter, editor, now editorial consultant, in a journey of five decades”.
In 50 years, Onayemi has worked with Daily Times, Daily Sketch, The Punch, National Concord, The Mail, and other publications, with a doggedness that led to Onayemi being an editorial consultant to some newspapers, and imparting knowledge and skills to the younger generation.
Lekan Otufodunrin, a versatile journalist and media career development specialist, recalled in 1984 when he was an intern at the defunct National Concord Newspaper from the University of Lagos.
“One of the senior staff who went out of their ways to teach me how to perfect news writing was Baba Femi Onayemi” said Otufodunrin.
Otufodunrin had worked in various top-rated newspapers in the last 35 years said.
According to him, “Onayemi would patiently read my stories, tell me what I didn’t do right, and ask me to re-write them until I knew what to do and when he visited me in my office at The Nation, I had the opportunity to thank him again for his tutelage during my internship”.
Sir Folu Olamiti, Chairman, Board of Management, Advent Cable Network Nigeria Television ACNNTV the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion-owned Television was a close friend of Onayemi.
Online reports have it that Onayemi’s last message to Olamiti was on December 4, 2021, on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary.
Onayemi’s words: “Ore mi atata (meaning my dearest friend indeed) welcome to Platinum age. I got there far ahead of you. Keep thanking God for His Grace and mercies over you PEOPLE’S EDITOR!!!. ”
However, Olamiti in his tribute said, “Onayemi was a committed and true friend indeed. Fondly called by me Femooo. A lively, friendly paddy.
“When I was the editor of Sunday Tribune in the early 80s Onayemi made sure he visited me once a week from Abeokuta, where he was a city editor for Daily Times. I found him very pleasant to be with. When last we spoke I promised to locate him in Lagos so we could relive our old day’s camaraderie. That is no longer to be. I will miss him sorely. May his soul find eternal rest”.
Rotimi Durojaiye, executive editor, The Point Newspaper, while responding to the death of Onayemi screamed “Ohhhh God. Pa. Femi Onayemi. May his soul rest in peace”.
Ediale Kingsley, one of the many journalists groomed by Onayemi at the defunct National Daily newspaper, wrote a glowing tribute in honour of the deceased.
“Dear Onayemi, answered the call of heaven today, 30th of December, 2021. I will miss you. You were the first News Editor I worked with. Many production nights with you, I cry. Still crying. Since the news got to me. It hits me differently. Because I love you. I wish I told you. It’s too late now,” Kingsley wrote.
“But I managed to let you know that I respect and honour you. These recent times I started introducing you to peeps as Book Editor. I know you were too energetic to just be retired. You showed no signs of retiring. You were strong.
“We shall be comforted. You lived well. Earned a presidential commendation. A diligent patriot. A renowned Journalist. A mentor to hundreds of Journalists.
“Above all a Lover of God. You were a great man. Baba Onayemi. Life. It’s painful. But over 80 years. Peaceful departure. Well…I will wipe my tears. Toast to the afterlife.
“For all the great days we had in the newsroom. For all the great nights we had in the production room, fixing headlines.”
Uplifting stories, publishing. I will miss you. Cheers to a friend and a father figure.
Evangelist Gbenga Adebayo, a police officer, said Onayemi was his editorial adviser, a seasoned, veteran journalist that should rest in perfect peace.
Remi Onikepo Odukoya, CEO OF Ayinnki travels and Tours Limited, London, who studied at the College of Journalism, London, said “Rest In Peace Baba Onayemi”.
Oguwike Nwachukwu, CPS/Media Adviser to the Imo State Government and Executive Editor at The Niche on Sunday, wrote: “Waoh Baba. May God rest his soul? I also drank from his Well of knowledge, while working at Democracy Today magazine”.
Charles Okogene, a former editor with Daily Independent also pay homage to the late Onayemi.
“Rest in peace baba,” Okogene wrote.
