Agha Ibiam
29 August 2008
Lagos — As the remains of Mr. Paul Abayomi Ogundeji were committed to mother earth yesterday at the Atan Cemetary, Yaba, Lagos, the Editor-in-Chief/Chairman, Leaders and Company Limited, publishers of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, has promised that Ogundeji's salary would continue to be paid for the next five years.
Ogundeji, who was killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen almost a fortnight ago, was a member of THISDAY editorial board.
The salary, Obaigbena said, would go a long way in assisting the children in their educational pursuit.
Obaigbena said it was unfortunate that he never met Ogundeji personally before his demise.
He said: "We were pained at the loss of Abayomi Ogundeji. I can not personally describe him because I have not met him face to face. I have never spoken to him, but the account that we hear is that he was a professional to the core; a news man and writer and was a gifted editor.
"We all miss him, but we pray that God will give us the strength to get to the root of the killing and solve the matter so that it will not occur again to any of us."
At the deceased's home in Idimu, a suburb of Lagos, Obaigbena in company with some THISDAY directors and editors, told Ogundeji's wife that the organisation would do everything possible to support the family and assist in the education of the children.
In a similar vein, the Committee of Friends of the slain journalist has inaugurated a trust fund, "Abayomi Ogundeji Trust Fund" with a view to cater for his children and dependants.
The friends said Ogundeji's widow and aged mother, as well as his two children, Bosipo, 4, and Oluwadarasimi, 2, would be beneficiaries of the fund.
The former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro, who also attended the burial, described Abayomi as a friend, colleague, brother, a professional, an excellent gentleman and a great father.
He said his death was a tragedy to him because they had worked together.
"I'm still in shock and disbelief. But God knows the best. We pray for his soul that the Almighty God will grant him eternal mercy and rest," he said.
Pedro said "Abayomi Ogundeji Memorial Foundation" had been inaugurated so that the two boys would not suffer.
"We don't want the family and the children to suffer. I have already spoken with THISDAY, and we have agreed to work together to set up the Foundation. And I will appeal to the rest of his colleagues to support so that the little children he left behind can attain greater heights in life," Pedro said.
"The level of insecurity is alarming and the perpetrators are not caught and punished. This sends fear down the spine of the rest of us. We hope the police will do the right thing," he said.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Segun Ayobolu, also commiserated with the family of the deceased at his home.
He said the state government would do everything possible to assist the family, adding that a Foundation would be set up in Ogundeji's name.
He however urged the police to do everything possible to unravel the killers.
The burial sermon was preached by Pastor Ezekiel Diamond, while the officiating minister was Pastor Ezekiel Oni of the Redeemed Christian Church of God respectively. The Bible reading was taken from Hebrews chapter 12 verse 1.
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