Former NAN MD Oluremi Oyo Laid To Rest

NAN – Former managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and a one-time publicist for ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo has been laid to rest following her death in the UK due to cancer-related treatement.

Former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi of Osun and Ekiti, respectively were among dignitaries who paid tribute to the former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dame Oluremi Oyo, on Friday, OCTOBER 24, 2014.

The former governors were among family members, friends, former colleagues and sympathisers who participated at a funeral mass held for Oyo at St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba in Lagos.

The mass was presided over by Bishop John Niyiring of the Catholic Diocese of Kano. He was assisted by 10 other clerics.

Also present were a former Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nweke, Jnr, a former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Steve Orosanye, former chief physician to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr Andrew Bella.

Others were Mr Ima Niboro, Managing Director of NAN; former Chairman of Punch Newspapers, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, Mr Biodun Shobanjo, Vice Chairman of the Insight Group.

Also at the mass were former Niger Delta Development Commission Chairman, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Mr Femi Adesina, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Ms Comfort Obi, Managing Director of the Source Magazine.

Also present were Mr Ade Obisesan of the Agence France Presse and retired Group Capt. John Obakpolor. .

Niyiring told the congregation that Oyo dedicated her life to the church and society.

“Today is a day of both joy and sadness to this diocese. Sad day because our dear friend and sister, Dame Oluremi Oyo is dead and being buried.

“It is a day of joy because we are celebrating the passing into eternity of a woman respected and recognised nationally and globally because of her hard work while she was alive.

“She dedicated her life to the church, the society and in particular to Saint Louis Catholic Secondary School, Kano, her Alma mater.

“The students of the school identified her as their role model for her professionalism, ability, intellect and natural endowment.

“All these encouraged the Catholic Diocese of Kano to recommend her to the Vatican to be honoured as a Papal Knight.

“It was conferred on her in 2012, giving her the title of Dame. It was a great occasion for the diocese,” Niyiring said.

Earlier in the mass, Rev. Fr. Jude Abulu in his homily described Oyo as a compassionate woman, lovely and someone that brought about positive changes in the lives of others.

“She was also very happy to receive Jesus Christ in the holy sacrament for her spiritual development,’ ‘he said.

“She was one who was ready to let go things of the world without any complaint. This she demonstrated when her tenure as the MD of NAN ended.

“She left the stage when the ovation was loudest.”

Abulu advised the living to emulate late Oyo, noting that she had played her role leaving the rest to the living.

“Do good, avoid evil. Do what is right, noble, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. That is what Oluremi did in her life,” he said.