International Press Institute Treasurer, Hajiya Rafatu Salami dies at 55

The Treasurer of International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria Chapter Hajiya Rafatu Salami has been reported dead late Thursday night at age 55, a sad incident which occurred few days after her re-election and inauguration as member of executives of the institute held in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Penpushing reports that the death of the committed and proactive member of the global body was confirmed by the Secretary of the International Press Institute (IPI) Ahmed I. Shekarau, in a statement on Friday

The brother-in-law of the journalist also confirmed the sad news when Penpushing Media put a call to the deceased phone, explaining that the incident was shocking, adding that few hours to her demise, she had earlier attended a function.

Penpushing further reports that the Institute Scribe in the statement said the family of the deceased informed that as at the time of filing this report the body had been deposited at the National Mosque around 3am, where it is being kept at their mini-mortuary.

‘Dear all, I write on a sad note to inform us of the death of our Treasurer, Hajiya Rafatu Salami, late last night. The Exco has just confirmed this development this morning. Her family members informed us that Rafatu’s body has been deposited at the National Mosque around 3am, where it is being kept at their mini-mortuary’, Shekarau wrote.

‘The body is being prepared for the funeral prayer after the Friday prayer at 2.pm. Afterwards, her body will be interred at the Gudu Cemetery. We will provide further information in due course. We pray that God Almighty will grant her eternal rest. Amin’, the statement read.

Penpushing also reports that in the same vein, President of International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed in a notification of funeral arrangements called on members of the institute to be part of funeral prayer at National Mosque, Abuja, adding that thereafter her body will be laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery, Apo District, Abuja

‘Dear Esteemed Members of IPI Nigeria, As previously announced by our secretary, we invite you to join us for the funeral prayer of our beloved treasurer, Hajia Rafatu Salami, scheduled for December 20, 2024, 2 pm at National Mosque, Abuja. Following the prayer, her body will be laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery, Apo District, Abuja’, Mojeed wrote.

‘We kindly request the presence of all members in Abuja and its surroundings to pay their respects and honour her memory. Hajia Rafatu Salami’s remarkable legacy, marked by her dedication to journalism, unwavering integrity, selflessness, and compassion for humanity, will be deeply missed. Let us come together to celebrate her life, mourn her passing, and show solidarity with her family. May her soul rest in peace’, he added.

Penpushing reports that the late treasurer was Assistant Director Digital Media Voice of Nigeria (VON), a thoroughly bred broadcast journalist from Ebiraland, Kogi State, married to a Kishi born, fashionista, and administrator, former Director Administration, Voice of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdul Ghani Salami, popularly called GAS.

The deceased joined Voice of Nigeria (VON) in the late 1990s in the Lagos office, as a news correspondent and producer, covered the health beat, worked on the news desk, produced major news flagship programmes such as VONSCOPE, Sixty Minutes and Africa hour.

Penpushing further reports that she speaks the impeccable Queen’s English, Hausa, Yoruba and Ebira languages fluently., and throughout her lifetime there were no dull moments with her, and was a unionist per excellence.

The late media practitioner was known to be very firm, who rose to become the Secretary of Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Council, and her contributions to issues at the executive council meetings were profound.

Penpushing also reports that she had been very active in the International Press Institute (IPI), became the Assistant Secretary and later the Treasurer of the Nigeria Chapter, of the global body, a great advocate of gender equity and development initiatives.

The deceased served the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), diligently as a trainer, hosted human rights programmes part- time at the Human Rights Radio Abuja, while her role in the Anti – Corruption crusade was well noted as the Chairperson, Voice of Nigeria (VON) Anti -Corruption group.

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