IFJ and FAJ Mourn Three Journalists Killed in Accident in Nigeria

 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its African regional group, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), today mourn three journalists who were killed in an accident in Nigeria, and have expressed their deepest sympathies to the ten other survivors.

 

According to IFJ and FAJ affiliate, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists from Lagos and Oyo States were involved in a motor accident on Friday, August 2. The delegation left Abuja earlier on August 2 after a meeting at the NUJ National Secretariat and their car had an accident between Ile Ife and Ilesha in Osun State (south west). All the victims in the accident had been transferred from Ilesha General Hospital to the Teaching hospital in Oshogbo by the Osun State Government.

 

NUJ later learnt of the death of Adolphous Okonkwo, of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and its National Financial Secretary, Olatunde Ojenike, of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Chairman of Radio Nigeria Ibadan Network Centre Chapel, and Afayat Odunsi of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), while doing their duty for the NUJ. 

 

“On behalf of the IFJ, we express our shock at the tragic news of the car crash. We are all grievously pained by the sad loss of the three NUJ members.  We hope that the outpouring of sympathy that NUJ is receiving is some consolation at this very sad time. The IFJ, and many of its affiliates, have lost active and vibrant colleagues which makes it even harder to comprehend their death,” said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President in a condolence message sent to Mohamed Garba, President of Nigeria Union of Journalists and also President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ).

 

Nine (9) journalists and the bus driver survived the car crash.  They are Abdulkareem Fatimah National Treasurer of NUJ,  Deji Elumoye, Chairman, Lagos state Council  and a staff of  This Day Newspaper, Gbenga Opadotun, Chairman, Oyo state Council and a staff of Nigerian Tribune,  Silva Okereke, Secretary , Lagos state Council and a staff of Champion Newspaper, Bimbo Oyetunde, Chairperson Radio Nigeria Ibadan Network Centre Chapel,  Momoh Adamson  of Voice of Nigeria,   Banji Oluwalana of  NTA, Victoria Island, Uzogbu Christopher  of  Voice of Nigeria and Bolaji Akeem of NTA, Channel 7.  

 

“We wish a speedy recovery to all the injured, in particular to sister Fatimah. They are in our thoughts and we hope they will get back to their usual selves soon,” Boumelha added.

 

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 221 33 867 95 86/87

 

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries