Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Olujimi, have joined in mourning veteran journalist and media manager, Dame Remi Oyo.

Uduaghan expressed regrets at the death of the former presidential spokeswoman, stating that she left indelible footprints in the history of Nigeria.

In a statement by Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary, the governor said the late Oyo will be remembered for her pioneering role as a journalist, editor, media manager, community leader and ultimately as spokeswoman of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Dr. Uduaghan pointed out that ‎she excelled in various roles assigned to her as a thoroughbred professional, culminating in being elected the first female president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), a position used in providing responsible leadership for journalists in the country.

He recalled: “The highpoint of her career was being elected president of the guild (NGE), a position she used in galvanising journalists for purposeful leadership role in the country. It is not in doubt that it was on account of excellent performance that endeared ‎her to former President Obasanjo and the subsequent appointment as his media adviser.”

Governor Uduaghan further noted that it was on account of distinguished performance that the former NGE president ‎was subsequently appointed the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria after her tenure as spokeswoman to the former president.

He particularly applauded the simplicity, poise and humility with which she executed tasks assigned to her, ensuring that the media remained a pillar that could not be ignored in the country’s nascent democratic experiment.

He added: “Irrespective of which political divide you belong, one fact that was visible to all was her determination to make the media relevant and sustain it as an important pillar of democracy. That is why I regret that she would not be around to contribute her quota in the transition to the 2015 general elections.”

Governor Uduaghan asked God to grant the deceased family, the NGE, NAN and the media the fortitude to bear the loss and exit of a quintessential Amazon ‎like Oyo.

Obi, on his part, described Remi Oyo as a foremost journalist who plied her trade with urbanity, objectivity and maturity, thus teaching the younger ones the need to be guided by the ethics of the profession at all times. “Throughout her carrier which saw her reaching the apex of the profession, whether as the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the spokesperson to a former President of the Country or Director General of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she represented the best and carried out her duties with becoming calmness even in the face of most challenging odds. She thought us all the difference between passing of information and plain rascality,” Obi said.

To the people that worked with her, Obi observed that she treated with a mother’s surpassing kindness. Obi appealed to the current NGE President, Mr. Femi Adeshina, to take heart over the misfortune of death visiting some of their members, saying that “God knows best and would not be questioned.”

Paying tribute to Remi Oyo, Olujimi described her as “a warm, forthcoming and genial media practitioner.”

She said Oyo was also a true Ekiti daughter, firm, simple and fair, adding: “We have lost a great soul . . . Her family should be consoled that she came, she saw and she conquered and touched many lives. She will be sorely missed.”

•Photo shows late Dame Remi Oyo.

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