The remains of Tunde Oluwanike, a former journalist with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, were on Tuesday interred amidst encomiums from colleagues, associates, friends and other sympathisers. Mr. Oluwanike was among three officials of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ, who died in a ghastly motor accident along Osu- Ilesha Road penultimate Friday while returning from Abuja on union assignment. Making reference to the encomiums showered on the deceased, Samuel Ige, a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, admonished people to give their best to humanity before they are summoned to render their account of stewardship to their creator. Ten other occupants of the ill-fated bus sustained varying degrees of injuries, including the national treasurer of the NUJ, Fatimat Abdulkareem, and the Oyo NUJ Chairman, Gbenga Opadotun, who are still on admission at the University College Hospital (UCH). Survived by Omolara, his wife, and five children, Mr. Oluwanike hailed from Ilero in the Kajola Local Government Area of Oke Ogun, Oyo State. In his sermon, Mr. Ige said testimonies about Mr. Oluwanike from all the areas he had ventured into attested to the fact that he lived a virtuous life and that of service to his profession and humanity in general. “Brother Tunde lived well. Though we are sad that he has left us, we cannot query God. But what matters is that we should always strive to do His will. If the bell should sound today, can you answer the call?” the cleric asked the congregation. In attendance at the burial programme held at the deceased’s Apata residence were the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Festus Adedayo; the NUJ President, Garba Muhammed; a representative of the state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Indabawa; and several journalists. Mr. Adedayo, on behalf of his boss, consoled the NUJ and the family of the deceased, saying the government had risen to the occasion and would continue to lend a helping hand to the bereaved family. Also speaking, the NUJ president said the deceased died in active service for the union. He sought prayers for the family of the deceased and the injured ones in the hospital.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 20:46:12 +0000