Groups, colleagues mourn AIT gmd, Ladi Lawal

Journalism in Nigeria lost another icon on Saturday following the death of the Group Managing Director of DAAR Communications Plc, Mr Ladi Lawal, whom his boss and Chairman of DAAR Group, Mr. Raymond Dokpesi, described as his friend and his pillar.

“For me, he was not only my friend, he was my pillar and that is the pillar that is now smashed. I don‘t know how I am going to hold it but I have lost one of the major foundations of my existence.” Dokpesi told Journalists in an emotion – laden voice shortly after the body of late Lawal was laid to rest at his Alagbole – Akute residence in Lagos.

Lawal, a former president of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (1994), died in Abuja after a brief illness. He was 54.

Among other eminent Nigerians and associations that paid him glowing tributes are the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, the Guild of Editors, the Governors of Lagos , Edo and Ogun states, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Festus Keyamo as well as several former presidents of the NUJ.

The Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild of Editors on Saturday said the death was an irreparable loss. Specifically, NPAN in a statement by its President, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, described the deceased as a solid professional, a passionate activist and a committed family man.

The association’s statement read: “Mr. Lawal was a pillar of strength at Daar Communications, where he was also a pioneer. He was, for many years, a passionate activist and, always, a solid professional who earned his place through 31years of assiduous journalism and dedicated service.

”He was a family man and a role model to his peers and to younger journalists.

”May his family and Daar Communications receive the grace to bear a loss so profound. We shall miss him.”

The Guild, similarly, through its President, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, described him as ”a committed journalist, a passionate activist and leader who made his mark in broadcasting and NUJ politics.

”We shall all miss him. We commiserate with his family, Daar Communications Plc, the entire Nigerian journalists on this irreparable loss. We seek God‘s forgiveness for his sins and peaceful rest for his soul,” the NGE added.

The Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel in his condolence message said Lawal contributed greatly to the growth of journalism in the country.

The Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, described him as a well-trained journalist whose exit would create a vacuum in the media industry in general and AIT in particular.

Lawal, a founding member of Daar Communications, held several strategic positions in the company including the Director of News and Current Affairs, Deputy General Manager (Operations), General Manager (Television), Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and as an Executive Director in charge of Operations.

His journalism career spanned both the print and electronic media, where he served in public sector broadcasting as a member of staff of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. He took up appointment in the print media as Chairman, Editorial Board of The News/Tempo, where he maintained a regular column.

He studied at Ladi-Lak Institute, Yaba; Lagos City College, Yaba and the School of Management and Vocational Studies, Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin. He also studied journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism as well as History and International Relations.

He was a former Vice president (Africa) of the defunct International Organisation of Journalists.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, who represented his boss, Governor Babatude Fashola, said the profession would miss Lawal‘s upright stand on issues and sense of dedication. ”He also fought hard to end military rule in this country. His was not a wasted life and that is our consolation,” Bamidele said.

Ambassador Segun Olusola also described late Lawal as diligent and focused.

Lagos Lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, said, ”He was one of the few people that encouraged me in my profession at the earlier part of my life. He is a fantastic personality.

Mrs Funke Fadugba, former chairman of the Lagos NUJ, said, ”He was my political tutor. When I am confused politically, I always consult him. Now that he is no more, I will miss him because he taught me to be resilient and not to be assumptious. The profession will miss his level of dedication.”