Thursday, October 9, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact
Newsroom Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
    • Across the Nation
    • Crime Watch
    • Metro
    • Political Arena
  • Politics
  • Opinions
  • Crime and Court
    • Judiciary
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Business and Economy
    • Business Life
No Result
View All Result
Newsroom Nigeria
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Media and Press

TRIBUTE: RAFAT SALAMI: THE EXIT OF AN IPI AMAZON

At the dinner on the 12th, she was bright and all energy. She had banter with one of our guests who had assisted us at the World Congress Secretariat in 2017/2018, promising that the guest would join her to attend the 75th IPI Anniversary and World Congress in Vienna, Austria, next year.

Newsroom Nigeria by Newsroom Nigeria
December 22, 2024
in Media and Press, News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Adedoyin (left) and the Late Rafa Salami

By Raheem Adedoyin

I allowed her fidau today to take place before I would say or write anything about Rafat Salami, the ebullient, conscientious journalist who passed on in Abuja on Thursday.

Related posts

Union Bank Strengthens Media Ties at Informal Mixer Event

Union Bank Strengthens Media Ties at Informal Mixer Event

October 9, 2025
TINUBU ACCEPTS INEC CHAIRMAN’S DEPARTURE, BESTOWS NATIONAL HONOUR ON HIM

TINUBU ACCEPTS INEC CHAIRMAN’S DEPARTURE, BESTOWS NATIONAL HONOUR ON HIM

October 7, 2025

Four days after Hajia Zainab Okino broke the shattering, early morning news to me on phone, I’m still struggling to accept that Rafa (as I fondly called her) is no more with us.

Rafa was more than a younger professional colleague whom I had known for over 25 years; she was a lovable sister.

Rafa came into my professional world during my time as the Editor- in- Chief/Chief Executive Officer of The Herald Newspapers (1996-1999). Lanre Issa-Onilu, then Abuja Bureau Chief of The Herald and now the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), who had a gift for competent hires, recruited Rafat as a reporter.

Abuja Bureau was the cornerstone of The Herald’s editorial excellence and operational success and Rafa was a part of that historic success.

But Rafa’s working relationship with me actually blossomed and shone brightly in the International Press Institute (IPI).
In 2017, I recruited Rafa into the Nigerian National Committee of IPI. Our membership count then was less than 20 and actual active members were just about a dozen. I was the Secretary of IPI Nigeria under the Chairmanship of Mallam Kabiru Yusuf and the towering mentorship of late Mallam Ismaila Isa.

After spirited campaign, Nigeria won the rights to host the 2018 World Congress. We set up the Secretariat for the World Congress at Trust Media Group Head office. The Trust group not only graciously gave us an expansive office, it provided us with the needed facilities.

For about a year, Rafa and I worked almost full time as volunteers to run the Secretariat. We typically closed at night, including during Ramadan period when we had to break our fasting in the office.

I was the face of the Secretariat but Rafa was a driving force for the incredible accomplishments of the Secretariat.

Having caught the pleasantly infectious IPI bug, there was no stopping Rafa from immersing herself in the press freedom work. Rafa was expectedly very active when, post-world Congress, the transformation of IPI Nigeria to a more cerebral platform began.

It was a huge delight to me and Mallam Kabiru to see Rafa become a member of the executive committee of IPI Nigeria elected in 2021. It was more delightful that she offered herself for reelection as Treasurer and was successful just about two weeks ago.

I first got an inkling about her sickness during the screening of the aspirants for the Executive Committee positions. As Secretary of the screening committee, I had called her to remind her that we were waiting for her to appear before us. She informed me about her indisposition and requested for virtual screening. The chairman granted her request and she was screened virtually and was successful.

When I saw her on a wheelchair on the first day of our IPI Nigeria Annual Conference/AGM on December 11, I was disturbed but she quickly assured me that the worst was over. I believed her and took delight in taking her pictures including an iconic one in which IPI Nigeria Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau was pushing her in her wheelchair into a correct positioning in the hall for her to address the Congress.

At the dinner on the 12th, she was bright and all energy. She had banter with one of our guests who had assisted us at the World Congress Secretariat in 2017/2018, promising that the guest would join her to attend the 75th IPI Anniversary and World Congress in Vienna, Austria, next year.

Rafa’s shocking exit has elicited a wave of condolences and positive reminiscences of her worldly good conduct as a journalist and a Muslim. But there was another endeavor at which she was so outstanding and endearing: motherhood.

Ahmed, Ahmed, Ahmed. That’s her son, her world, a physically challenged but bright young man. She lived for Ahmed; Ahmed lived because of her. We can keep Rafa’s spirit alive by ensuring that Ahmed has a good life.

May Allah grant Hajia Rafat Salami Aljanah Firdaus. Ameen.

 

 

 

Raheem Adedoyin FNGE
IPI Executive Board.

ShareTweetSendShareShare
Previous Post

FG LIFTS BAN ON MINERAL EXPLORATION IN ZAMFARA AFTER FIVE YEARS

Next Post

Apex College of Nursing SciencesIgbo-Ukwu Hosts Official Opening and First Matriculation/Capping Ceremony

Related Posts

Union Bank Strengthens Media Ties at Informal Mixer Event
BANKING

Union Bank Strengthens Media Ties at Informal Mixer Event

October 9, 2025
TINUBU ACCEPTS INEC CHAIRMAN’S DEPARTURE, BESTOWS NATIONAL HONOUR ON HIM
News

TINUBU ACCEPTS INEC CHAIRMAN’S DEPARTURE, BESTOWS NATIONAL HONOUR ON HIM

October 7, 2025
Yakubu Concludes Tenure, Hands Over to Agbamuche-Mbu as INEC’s Acting Chairman
News

Yakubu Concludes Tenure, Hands Over to Agbamuche-Mbu as INEC’s Acting Chairman

October 7, 2025
NDLEA Smashes Cocaine Cartels Behind 6 UK-bound Shipments, Arrests Arrowhead
News

NDLEA Smashes Cocaine Cartels Behind 6 UK-bound Shipments, Arrests Arrowhead

October 5, 2025
No More Account Maintenance Fees, Says Sterling Bank to Nigerians on Independence Day
BANKING

No More Account Maintenance Fees, Says Sterling Bank to Nigerians on Independence Day

October 1, 2025
At UNGA80: Reform Or Risk Irrelevance, President Tinubu Tells UN, World Leaders
News

At UNGA80: Reform Or Risk Irrelevance, President Tinubu Tells UN, World Leaders

September 25, 2025
Next Post

Apex College of Nursing SciencesIgbo-Ukwu Hosts Official Opening and First Matriculation/Capping Ceremony

RECOMMENDED NEWS

ONDO APPOINTS  NEW VICE CHANCELLOR, VISITATION PANEL FOR UNIMED

7 months ago

APOSTLE SULEMAN WEARS NEW LOOK

3 years ago

BUHARI COMMISSIONS  ULTRA-MODERN PRESIDENTIAL/VIP WING OF STATE HOUSE MEDICAL CENTRE BUILT BY JULIUS BERGER

2 years ago

LAGOS ASSEMBLY HAILS GBAJABIAMILA, DESCRIBES HIM AS THE PRIDE OF LAGOS

3 years ago

FOLLOW US

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

POPULAR NEWS

  • LAGOS, OSUN STAKEHOLDERS REJECT PDP ZONING, RALLY FOR GBENGA HASHIM

    South Rejected Tinubu in 2023, North and South Will Reject Him in 2027 — Gbenga Hashim’s Group

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES APPOINTMENT  AMUPITAN AS INEC CHAIRMAN

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TINUBU ACCEPTS INEC CHAIRMAN’S DEPARTURE, BESTOWS NATIONAL HONOUR ON HIM

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TINUBU ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF GEOFFREY NNAJI AS MINISTER

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • HEDA Drags Ozekhome, Son to ICPC Over Alleged Fraud, Forged IDs and London Property Grab

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
ADVERTISEMENT
Newsroom Nigeria

The NEWSROOM NIGERIA is an independent, liberal on – line news platform committed to the right of the individual to pursue his economic happiness, without undue interference of the state. It shall promote the rights of the individual; right to freedom of worship and conscience, and to hold opinions and impact same without hindrance, subject to such laws are as consistent with the constitution and necessary for the protection of the rights of others.

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact

© 2025 Newsroom Nigeria - Designed by Semasir Connect.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Across the Nation
    • Crime Watch
    • Metro
    • Political Arena
  • Politics
  • Opinions
  • Crime and Court
    • Judiciary
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Business and Economy
    • Business Life

© 2025 Newsroom Nigeria - Designed by Semasir Connect.