The death of veteran journalist, Akinloye Oyebanji, is a great loss, President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State have said.
In separate statements, they said the sports journalist would be sorely missed.
Expressing sorrow over Oyebanji who died at the age of 62 at the National Hospital, Abuja, on Saturday, Buhari commiserated with his family, friends and colleagues, particularly at the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA.
The president noted that the late Oyebanji had worked for 35 years at the NTA, making his mark as a sportscaster.
He recalled that the deceased was very good at his art,
He prayed that Oyebanji’s soul would find eternal rest, and that God would comfort all those that mourned him.
Governor Makinde of Oyo State, in a statement by his media aide, Taiwo Adisa, said Oyebanji was an excellent sports journalist.
“Those of us who followed his career progression will not forget in a hurry, how he used his expertise to shape sports journalism at the NTA, Ibadan, and at the network stations of the organisation.
“To say the least, sports journalism has lost a gem and we pray that the good Lord will console his immediate family and give his colleagues, the sporting world and journalism, the fortitude to bear the loss.
“We equally urge the widow, the children and members of the immediate family to remain strong in their determination to actualise the unfulfilled dreams of the departed,” he said.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who also expressed sadness of Oyebanji’s death said: “We commiserate with the family, colleagues, friends and the NTA where the veteran journalist served for 35 years in various capacities.”
The statement said the late journalist would be remembered for his contributions to sports writing in the country.
The governor prayed the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and comfort the family.
