Veteran Nigerian journalist and former Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Deacon Ayo Ositelu is dead.The foremost journalist passed on last night at the age of 69 while he was watching the Nigeria/Cape Verde international friendly match on television with his wife.
The incident happened at their home at 171A, Green Street in Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos.
After he collapsed, he was rushed to Topaz Hospital in Surulere, Lagos, where he was confirmed dead.
His wife, Aribike, who was in shock at the time she spoke with P.M.NEWS Thursday, said she had no premonition that her hubby would pass on Wednesday.
“I can’t talk now. I’m still in shock because I never believed that my husband would die yesterday. Though he was sick lately, he had fully recovered from the illness,” said Aribike.
A veteran Journalist and his close friend, Tayo Balogun, was too shocked to react to the demise of Ositelu.
Ositelu was known as the ‘The Arena’ which was the name he chose for his popular newspaper column.
His last major public outing was at the Lagos Tennis Club where he was the compere at the 2 November 2012 exhibition match between the Williams Sisters (Serena and Venus). That was the first time the legendary American tennis stars would visit Nigeria.
Reacting to his death, his former personal assistant at Ejigbo LCDA , Olajide Olakunle, told our reporter that they were together last week discussing his forthcoming 70th birthday which should have held on 6 April.
“I was with him last week and we discussed about his coming birthday in April. This is quite unbelievable and am yet to believe that he’s really dead. May God grant him eternal rest,” he prayed.
Also reacting to Ositelu’s death, the member representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 02 in the House of Representatives which covers Ejigbo and Isolo LCDAs, Hakeem Abiodun Munir, described it as a rude shock and a blow to democracy.
“I’m in shock. It’s indeed a blow to democracy. May his soul rest in perfect. He was such a gentleman and a complete democrat,” the lawmaker said.
According to him, the late Ositelu was a loyal party member and a consummate journalist who remained committed to the progressive ideals till his death.
Also speaking, the late Ositelu’s former colleague and chairman of Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA, Adeyemi Alli, stated that his former boss’s death was a shocker to him.
“What can I say? The man died when we needed him most. He was an experienced and loyal party man. He had served his people well and was loyal to the party throughout,” Alli said praying to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Lagos lawmaker, Wahab Alawiye-King described the late Ositelu as a honest politician who served his people to the best of his ability.
According to Alawiye-King who represents Lagos Island Constituency 02 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ositelu displayed real loyalty and commitment to the party when he lost his second term bid as a council boss in 2008.
“Despite his loss, he remained committed and loyal to the party and he was never involved in any anti-party activities. We will all miss him,” he said, praying to God to give the family succour to bear the loss of their breadwinner.
Kehinde Bamigbetan, the chairman of Ejigbo LCDA and Ositelu’s successor, while reacting to his death, said: “What else can one say? His death came as a rude shock to all of us in the community. He was a very nice man and very active in ensuring that the LCDA is taken to greater heights.
“He did his possible best as a former chairman of this council area. In fact, he still sent me a text message yesterday over a matter that is of utmost concern to the LCDA. He’s a liberal and very accommodating individual. He didn’t harbour hatred against any individual and we enjoyed an excellent relationship.”
Shortly before the visit of the Williams sisters to Nigeria, the veteran sports analyst, on 19 September urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that his directive for a complete overhaul of the sports sector in the country was implemented.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Ositelu said that he hoped Jonathan’s directive was not made as a result of Team Nigeria’s woeful performance at the London 2012 Olympics.
“I sincerely hope that our president will give sports in this country a total overhaul, I don’t want to assume he promised to do that in the heat of the moment.
“President Jonathan should not merely call for an overhaul, he should ensure that his directive is implemented and strictly implemented to the letter,” said Ositelu.
However, the analyst commended Team Nigeria at the last London Paralympics for redeeming the country’s image, which he said, was battered at the London 2012 Olympics.
“They have performed beyond our expectations; they have proved to us that there is ability in disability, I am proud of them,’’ he said.
Ositelu was a former Group Sports Editor of The Punch (1982-1984) and later Editor Sunday Punch (1984-87); Chairman of Lagos State Lawn Tennis Association (1992-1999); member, Nigeria Lawn Tennis Association (1984-89); founding consultant (Publicity) sub-committee of LSSEF with Mr. Bode Emmanuel as Main LSSEF FUND Chairman; National Sports Merit Award recipient in 2003 for Outstanding Sports Journalism (Print Media); Executive Chairman, Ejigbo (LCDA (2003-2008); Author of the evergreen Sports Column titled ‘THE ARENA’ in the Punch, National Concord, The Guardian (1981 till date); member, Federal Government Delegation to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games; International Sports Broadcaster, Analyst – Newspaper, TV & Radio (1980 till date); Consultant of the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper – 2001 till date.
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May †ŃĪ¾ Lord rest his soul. May the family be comforted.
ReplyDeleteMay God grant him eternal rest and give us victory at the uncoming Nations Cup for this reason,Amen...
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