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Oseni, veteran journalist, buried
amid tributes
KOLA ADEPOJU,
Abeokuta
THE
remains of the former Senior Special Assistance to the President on Media and
Publicity Mr. Kailu Olatunji Oseni were interred yesterday according to Islamic
rites at his Agbole Oseni family house at Keesi, Itoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
His interment came with revelation at the
graveside that he saw death coming few hours to his demise.
His body was buried with special prayers
at exactly 4.04 p.m. amid wailing and sobbing.
He was interred according to his request
beside his late father, Alhaji Lasisi Bankole Oseni, who died on July 30, 1987
as the Olori Adeni of Keesi Muslims.
His tomb was the 12th at the family
graveyard situated at the back of the one-storey family house.
His burial was witnessed by dignitaries
including former Head of State Chief Ernest Shonekan who represented President
Olusegun Obasnjo, Governor Gbenga Daniel, former minister of information, Prince
Tony Momoh and representative of the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF) Chief Ufot Ekaete.
In his sermon at the graveside, the Imam
of Keesi Alhaji Lasisi Seriki, said the late Oseni had premonition of his death.
According to him the late Oseni while on
his sick bed requested that he should be buried beside his late father.
Imam Seriki said his family has granted
the request, by burying him beside his father.
The cleric, however, enjoined those in
position of authority to be upright in life as they would one day die like the
late Oseni and be made to account for their deeds.
Oseni’s body had earlier arrived his
family house in Mercedes Benze owned by MIC marked MC 111AA at 3.40 p.m.
His remaisn were closely trailed by a
Peugeot 504 Station Wagon marked FG 657 A12 which carried his wife and his
daughter.
The body was received by his
contemporaries in journalism including former boss of Voice of Nigeria (VON),
Chief Taiwo Alimi, Chief Felix Adenaike, Chief Peter Ajayi and Dr. (Mrs.) Doyin
Abiola.
Reacting to his death, Chief Shonekan who
said he knew the deceased when he was in government, noted that he contributed
mostly to the development of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC).
Governor Daniel, who said the late Oseni
was his senior at Baptist Boys High School (BBHS) Abeokuta, described his death
as a doubel tragedy.
He assured that his govenrment would give
his family necessary support.
Condolence message delivered by his Chief
Press Secretawry, Mr. Eric Teniola, descriebd the late veteran journalsit as a
thorough bred.
Prince Momoh said Oseni did not die but
lives on according to the Bible.
Former Govenror Segun Osoba of Ogun State
described his death as shocking, unbearable and irreparable.
President Olusegun Obasanjo, who he served
as spokesman from 2001 to 2003, eulogised the late journalist.
"He was a man who did his very best to
uphold and propagate the ideals of a profession he loved and lived for," the
statement also quoted the President as saying.
"Oseni’s death at the age of 61 was a
great loss indeed to the profession of journalism as it was on persons like him
that hope for necessary reform in the media industry rested," Obasanjo said.
In his eulogy, Governor Bola Tinubu of
Lagos State said the late Oseni "symbolised the dignity, integrity, selflessness
and commitment to the truth that constitute the essence of the profession."
Tinubu said: "even though his professional
calling brought him in touch with the high and mighty, the late Mr. Oseni was
never the influence-peddling type. He was consistently unassuming in dress,
speech and demeanour. He was the very epitome of humility; a noble personality
who combined the finest essences of the human spirit."
The governor praised his professional
competence especially during the military regime.
On his part Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola
of Osun State said: "With the death of Oseni, Ogun State and indeed, Nigeria,
have lost the invaluable services of an accomplished media practitioner and an
astute administrator whose contributions to the advancement of the journalism
profession would remain indelible in the minds of Nigerians."
He condoled with his Ogun State
counterpart, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, for the loss of Mr. Oseni, who hailed from
Ogun.
The state Information Commissioner, Mr.
Niran Malaolu, said yesterday, "the death of Mr. Tunji Oseni is a sad loss to
the state, Nigeria and journalism profession. He was a dedicated and downright
professional who in his life time, elevated the profession through his own
efforts and determination.
"The state, however, commiserates with the
family and professional colleagues."
A co-veteran journalist and pioneer
Managing Director of Champion Newspapers Limited, (CNL) Prince Henry Odukomaiya,
said the late Mr. Oseni was "a very quite gentleman who did not wear religion on
his face, but very articulate."
Prince Odukomaiya said the late Oseni may
have been bitter for not being reappointed. "He thought he was going to be
reappointed as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity"
given his impression the last time he met him before the last election.
Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors
(NGE), Ms Angela Agoawike, in a statement yesterday expressed "deep shock" at
news of the death.
"During and after his years in active
journalism, Mr. Oseni was able to garner so much respect from within and without
the industry for his great display of professionalism, which did not rob him of
the finer attributes of life - kindness, truthfulness and humility.
"For these and more, the profession which
he loved so dearly and the Guild, which he served diligently, will miss him, for
to those there, he was a brother, friend, mentor and colleague.
"We promise to keep the candle which he
lit burning so as to highlight those ideals for which he lived," the NGE wrote.
Lagos lawyer and a Senior Advocate of
Nigeria (SAN), Chief Gani Fawehinmi, also expressed shock over the death of
Oseni describing the deceased as a brilliant and thorough journalist who would
be missed by all Nigerians.
Gani, who described Oseni as his close
friend of over 20 years before his appointment by President Obasanjo said Oseni,
had a successful journalism career.
"His death is a very sad one because he
was a quintessential thorough, painstaking, brilliant journalist while working
in the Daily Times and Sketch newspapers before he left the
country to work for the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), he
stated.
Nigerians, would miss Oseni’s commitment
to the journalism profession especially the print media where he gave his best.
Chief Fawehinmi described the deceased as a human rights
activist of sort because he (Oseni) "gave the military a tough fight in the
1970s through his dogged defence and preservation of the freedom of the press."
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