The Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, has expressed sadness over the demise of the agency’s Assistant Director, Digital Media, Rafat Salami, who died on December 20.

Mr Ndace made this known in a statement on Sunday, describing the former secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists as more than a professional, a beacon of strength, compassion, and inspiration.

According to him, the late Salami’s death is an irreplaceable loss to her family, colleagues, and all who were privileged to know her.

He added that her remarkable contributions to broadcast journalism and her pivotal role in advancing digital media at VON were extraordinary.

“With profound sadness, the management and members of staff of VON extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Salami. Her demise on Friday has left us all in shock and deep sorrow. Renowned for her impeccable work ethic, multilingual skills, and unwavering commitment to excellence, she was the epitome of professionalism and dedication,” he said.

The VON boss said Salami’s legacy of compassion, resilience, and service would forever inspire everyone, as her integrity, dedication to truth, and exceptional leadership earned her the admiration and respect of her peers.

He said that, over the years, the late Salami played instrumental roles in producing the organisation’s flagship programmes, such as VONSCOPE, Sixty Minutes, and Africa Hour.

“My personal relationship with the late Salami predates my appointment as director general of VON.  Following my appointment, I consistently sought her invaluable advice and relied on her steadfast support in our collective efforts to reposition the agency. Even at our recent VON retreat earlier this week, despite her health challenges, Salami participated actively. I personally reached out to her during the retreat to pray for her recovery, never imagining that it would be our final interaction,” Mr Ndace stated.

The director-general noted that beyond her professional accomplishments, the deceased was a passionate unionist, a staunch advocate for gender equity, and a mentor to countless talents within the media industry.

He noted, “Her active involvement in the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and NUJ; and her recent re-election as Treasurer of the International Press Institute (IPI), underscored her lifelong commitment to advancing journalism and human rights. A devout Muslim and an active member of the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Salami exemplified a life of faith and service. Her tireless advocacy for blood donation and unwavering dedication to helping the sick were hallmarks of her selflessness and compassion. Our thoughts and prayers are with her beloved son Ahmad, whom she cherished deeply. We pray that Allah (SWT) grants her family the strength to bear this profound loss and blesses her soul with Al-Jannah Firdaus. May the memories of her remarkable life and the indelible impact she made provide comfort to all who mourn her.’’

The late Salami began her career with VON as a correspondent in Lagos, where her passion and diligence set her apart. She steadily rose through the ranks to become VON’s Assistant Director, Digital Media, before her demise on Friday.

(NAN)