The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran journalist and National Treasurer of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), Hajia Rafatu Salami, who passed away in the early hours of Friday in Abuja.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, and released to Summit Post on Saturday, Governor Ododo extended his condolences to Salami’s immediate family, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Press Institute (IPI), and the Voice of Nigeria (VON), where she served as Assistant Director of Digital Media.
“As we mourn the passing of our sister and one of the outstanding female journalists in Nigeria, we are comforted by her legacy of remarkable achievements as a courageous professional and a caring mother, as well as her compassion for humanity, unwavering integrity, and dedication to public service,” Governor Ododo said.
The governor also prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and asked for God’s grace to grant her family the strength to bear the loss.
Hajia Rafatu Salami, a native of Ihima in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, died at the age of 55.
She was laid to rest on Friday at the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja, in accordance with Islamic rites.
Salami was celebrated for her significant contributions to journalism and public service, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism and dedication that resonated within and beyond Nigeria’s media landscape.