…He was a professional journalist, goal-getter, says NCC Boss
The Oyo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday lost a member, Najeem Raheem, a photo journalist of The Guardian Newspaper.
Najeem (51) died in the early morning of yesterday at an Ibadan hospital after a brief illness.
The deceased who hailed from Dagbolu Town via Osogbo in Osun State was survived by his wife, Rashidat. And three children: Barakat, Mubarak and Farouk.
His remains were interred in his residence: 21, Road B, Ilupeju-Yidi, Apete, Ibadan in the Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Council of the NUJ, and NAWOJ have mourned Najeem’s demise. According to a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ademola Babalola and Secretary, Sola Oladapo, the NUJ described Raheem’s death as unfortunate and devastating, adding they had mobilised support for him on hearing of his sickness some weeks back.
The deceased had early this year lost his parents in a single day and planning for their burial when the ugly incident of his death was announced on Monday morning.
It said that the late Raheem was a very humble, dutiful, diligent jovial and friendly colleague, who distinguished himself professionally in his chosen career.
The union prayed that Almighty Allah
accept him into Aljanah Firdaous and grant his family fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.
Also, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists(NAWOJ), Oyo State Chapter has commiserated with the NUJ on Raheem’s death.
The NAWOJ in a statement signed by its Chairperson, Jadesola Ajibola, described Raheem’s death as a rude shock.
“It’s a painful one. Raheem was an easy going man with a heart of gold. We will forever remember you. May the Almighty God keep his family, insha Allah,” it said.
It commisrated with Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman and the entire NUJ, Oyo state Council, praying the union won’t the experience such again.
While speaking with journalists in the deceased’s residdnce before the interment, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Chairman, National Communications Commission (NCC) described Najeem as a very close friend and professional photo journalist who knew his onions on the job.
His words: “Najeem and I worked together about 20 to 25 years ago. We were that close because I chatted with him about two weeks ago and he even sent me a picture we took in 1993 with Laolu Akande and Prof. Wale Adebanwi. I worked in Punch and he in Guardian., and the two papers shred the same building at Veterinary area of Mokola in Ibadan here. We got so close. In fact the last message he sent to me was condolence on the death of my adopted daughter”.
On the deceased’s character, Prof Akande said “Najeem was a gentleman. A goal-getter. He started out as a photographer before going back to a University to earn a degree. He was good at the job and definitely one of the best journalists we have in the country. For him to have stayed for decades in The Guardian speaks to the quality of his professionalism”, Akande said.
See pictures below;
