Tributes as Tunji Oseni is buried
By Kabir Alabi Garba, Idowu Ajanaku (Lagos), Charles Coffie Gyamfi and Chuka Nnabuife (Abeokuta)
WITH words, he sculpted a masterpiece out of his life. And there was no shortage of words to express his impact on his family, profession and society as he was buried yesterday.
A common theme ran through President Olusegun Obasanjo's and other dignitaries' condolences: Mr. Tunji Oseni was a rare gem in journalism.
Oseni died on Monday at the age of 61. He was buried at 4.30 p.m. yesterday at his home town, Abeokuta, Ogun State according to Moslem rites.
His grave at the family cemetery behind the family house at 73, Itoko Road, Keesi, is beside his father's. His father, Alhaji Lasisi Bankole Oseni died on July 30, 1982 at the age of 80.
At the burial, Obasanjo was represented by a former Head of State Chief Ernest Shonekan. Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel was also present.
In a statement, Obasanjo observed that Oseni who worked for him as Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) as a "veteran journalist" who "would be remembered as a very decent man of great integrity who did his very best to uphold and propagate the ideals of a profession he loved and lived for."
The President said Oseni's death at the age of 61 was a great loss indeed to the profession of journalism in the country as it was on persons like him that hopes for necessary reforms in the media industry rested.
Obasanjo prayed that God Almighty would grant Oseni's soul eternal peace and give his family, relatives and friends the fortitude to bear the demise.
Oseni's wife Funmi told The Guardian that the late veteran journalist was a wonderful husband and father who cared so much for his children.
She said her late husband was a thorough professional who was disciplined and highly principled. They married for 21 years, she said.
A former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Mr. Taiwo Allimi who said he had been close to the deceased for 35 years noted that even though Oseni's death was sad, one should take consolation in the fact that he led a credible and good life which was worthy of emulation.
He said: "Oseni was a rare breed, cool, calm and solid intellectual who lived his life for the journalism profession.
"He represented someone who has a deep commitment to anything he loved".
Allimi added that the deceased had a passionate and enduring loyalty to his friends, family and any thing he loved.
"That had been his life since I knew him.".
Shonekan described Oseni as a man who lived an undoubtedly good life.
He said: "Thank God for a life well spent, although it would appear to be very short-lived. (We) pray that the Almighty God should give the family the strength to bear the loss. May his soul rest in peace - Amen.
On his part, Daniel said: "Chief Tunji Oseni lived a fulfilled life. A most worthy and resourceful professional. A distinguished 'old boy' of BBHS (Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta) and a man worthy of emulation. We will miss him as we pray that God in His infinite mercies will grant his family the required fortitude to bear the loss."
The Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard newspapers Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu described the deceased journalist, who was once his colleague, as "gentle to the core and he was very down to earth."
Three hours before the burial began, the Daily Times Newspaper (DTN) where Oseni, was a Managing Director came with a delegation comprising many of the company's top executives.
Folabi, a brother of the deceased broke in tears while talking to The Guardian. He said: "Tunji was the mentor for all of us. In fact, we don't know what to do now that he has gone so suddenly."
Mallam Baba Halilu Dantiye, President, Guild of Editors (NGE), the group the late Oseni served meritoriously, noted that his passage "is very sad. He was a fine man from his dressing to his thoughts. He was quite simple, meticulous and a thorough professional. He was one of our mentors and he will remain so even in death. May God, the Almighty, grant him eternal rest."
"It is a great loss to journalism in Nigeria", said Mallam Wada Maida, former NGE President. Maida who retired last year as the managing director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) described the late journalist as "a complete gentleman who was competent in print, broadcast and wire service as well as information management. We shall miss his wise guidance to the young ones in the profession. May Allah grant his soul peace in Aljanna Fridaus".
According to Mrs. Funke Fadugba, Chairman, Lagos State council of NUJ, "It is a great loss to journalism and a society that cherishes quality professional service. Having served the nation as Editor-in-Chief, OPEC News Agency, Austria between 1984 and 89; Daily Times and Voice of Nigeria (VON) as well as being Senior Special Assistant to the President, Oseni carried himself with candour and uprightness. He died a professional statesman. May God grant him eternal rest."
For Mallam Abubakar Tijiwa, Acting Director General, VON where Oseni served as pioneer Director of News, his passing on "is tragic to the journalism profession and for the VON. A founding father whose gap will be difficult to fill; an icon whose peaceful disposition is sometimes exploited. He will be missed by humanity."
Mallam Kabir Dangogo, Assistant General Manager/Head Corporate Affairs Department, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc received the news of his death with shock.
"I have not seen or heard from him since he left Abuja as SSA to Mr. President June last year. He was a great professional communicator who cherished the credibility of his message.
"Mr Oseni brought professionalism to the communication office of the President. He will be remembered for that and the credible contacts he built for the president's office. May he rest in peace."
"I haven't heard of it," was the response of another former NGE presient, Mallam Garba Shehu. "But if it is true, then the last bastion of the conscience of the media in the country is lost. He is irreplaceable. I will pray for him," asserted Shehu.
"Tunji Oseni remained an epitome of professional and journalistic excellence, enamoured by a tremendous unwavering sense of personal digity and self-respect. He was a good man. May his soul be accepted in Aljannah," remarked Mallam Danladi Bako, former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu described him as a selfless and committed journalist.
In a statement signed by Tinubu, he lauded the late Oseni for his high degree of excellence in his chosen career.
A media specialist, Mr. Bankole Ebisemiju said: "He was a communicator par excellence. It is really a sad development that Oseni is gone at this point in the history of the nation. After his stint as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, it was expected that Oseni will put his experience at that post on paper for the younger generation to benefit from."
The Nigeria Union of Journalists received with shock the death of Oseni.
It said that as a mark of respect for this departed senior professional colleague, all State Councils were directed to observe a one week period of mourning with effect from yesterday.
A condolence register has been opened at the National Secretariat of the NUJ and State Councils were equally directed to do the same with immediate effect. Councils were also directed to cancel all social activities for one week effective from yesterday.
The NUJ President, Mr. Smart Adeyemi cancelled his scheduled trip to Canada to receive a Diversity World Heritage Award taking place on December 3, 2004 as a sign of respect for this departed senior journalist.
A former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba in a statement described Oseni's death as shocking, unbearable and an irreparable loss to the family and the nation.
He described the deceased as a principled journalist "who was loyal to a fault to his family and friends."
Osoba who worked with the deceased at the Daily Times said even after he had ended his tenure as the presidential spokesman he remained loyal to the President.
"He was a quintessential journalist who contributed immensely to he development of the profession" Osoba said in the statement signed by Mr. Kayode Odunaro, his media consultant. He noted that Oseni "fought all his life for the cause of justice and equity."
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