By Zainab Suleiman Okino
The death of Rafatu Salami on December 20, 2024, has elicited reactions from the high and mighty as much as it shook the journalism community in Abuja and beyond. Only last week, Rafatu along with colleagues were re-elected as International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria excos for another three-year term. She was re-elected as the treasurer.
Despite being on wheelchair, having been sick for almost three months, Rafatu shone brightly as the lot fell on her to present the annual expenditure of the institute. In her calm demeanour, she also took in observations and answered questions accordingly. A few days later during their—Voice of Nigeria, (VON), reports said her health deteriorated. Colleagues spoke of how she passed out and was revived, but never really felt good.
When I visited her home, her grieving mother told of how distraught she was on returning from the retreat, proclaiming loudly that she was sick at the event. Rafatu was brilliant and was always on top of her game and very proactive.
Her social media presence was always busy especially on Facebook which she used to document her son’s travails as an autistic child. This practically got everyone involved her life one way or the other especially colleagues.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu captured her trajectory succinctly: “In her career as a reporter, broadcaster, and producer, Rafatu Salami tried to keep the public informed on crucial developmental issues. Her advocacy for women’s and children’s rights was a testament to her strong voice and compassionate spirit.”
President Tinubu called upon her colleagues, friends, and family to honour her by continuing the impactful work she championed as they bid farewell to the multilingual and multitalented journalist, while extending his heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and (IPI).
Her loss has been deeply felt across the journalistic community and beyond. Salami also served as the Secretary of the NUJ, Abuja Council, dedicating her talents and passion to advancing journalism in Nigeria. The President also commiserated with the leadership and members of the IPI, the Voice of Nigeria (VON) staff, and the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), acknowledging “Salami’s unwavering commitment to her profession and nation.”
For the governor of her home state of Kogi, Usman Ododo, Rafatu’s death was a personal loss. In a condolence message released by the governor’s spokesman, Ismail Isah, the governor expressed his sadness over the passing of the veteran journalist.
The Governor condoled with members of her immediate family, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the management of Voice of Nigeria (VON) where she worked as an Assistant Director, Digital Media until her death.
“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 prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and for God to grant her family the fortitude to cope with the pain of the loss. The late Rafatu Salami hailed from Ihima in Okehi local government area of Kogi State died at the age of 55.
Rafatu’s supervisory Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris harped on her contribution (and now loss) to developmental journalism. “Rafatu, a seasoned and consummate journalist, and former Secretary of the Abuja Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) will be remembered for a meritorious journalism career and has mentored several young others, particularly at the Voice of Nigeria (VON) where she rose to become the cornerstone of the organisation’s digital operations, in her remarkable 23 year career in the organisation,” said Idris.
Her death, Idris added, “leaves a huge gap within the VON family and at the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), where she served diligently in the consolidation of the Institute as a critical defender of the rights of journalists, promoter of press freedom and the welfare of journalists.”
The Minister recalled that the late Rafatu remained professionally active until her final moments, having fully participated at the 3-day VON Management Retreat, which ended a day before her death on Friday. “I therefore want to condole with the management and staff of the VON, the IPI Nigeria, as well as the Nigerian media community on the death of such an illustrious woman who was dedicated to the journalism career, and lived a life of impact, compassion and trustworthiness,” Idris posited.
