Date: 2017-07-08

Journalists, family members, Church members and other friends and contemporaries from far and near have bided Clement Ojo Obafaiye a final good night as he was buried in his home town in Kabba, Kogi State on Friday (7-7-2017). Until his demise, he was an active member of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Adewole, Ilorin.

Before his final burial, a wake keep was held in his Ilorin family house where the leadership of his church, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilorin presided. We in the journalism profession particularly members of staff of Radio Kwara, were saddened when we heard of the death of Clement Obafaiye, although, he battled briefly with illness but we never knew he would not survive it .

Even in his hospital bed, he was still talking and dreaming journalism. Truly, Obafaiyes name was one of the most recognized names of any journalists that have retired in Radio Kwara. He had a warm character and a good nature. He rose to the position of Controller of News in the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation before retirement after his thirty years of meritorious service.

One of the fathers in the Communications department of Ilorin Diocese, at the wake keep, Reverend Father Chris ATOYEBI said Clement Obafaiye served as an effective link between the diocese and all journalists in Kwara State and also played an active and committed role in the production of the Diocese Newspaper "The New Chronicler" during his life time.

Father ATOYEBI described late Obafaiye as indeed a hardworking, fearless and veteran journalist.

Until his death at the age of 62, Obafaiye was the chairman of the Editorial Board of the Diocese Newspaper.

As a responsible family man, the deceased was a blessing to his family. He was a strong, loving and a caring father that is irreplaceable. Clement Obafaiye was a man of many parts and people accessed or viewed him while he was alive from different dimensions.

In his own view about Clement Obafaiye, the Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, described him as a wonderful nature and a man of integrity and honour, hardworking and committed.

The President and Secretary- General of Ilorin Diocesan Catholic Laity Council, Sir Mike Oladele and Ajayi Olamilekan also rated Obafaiye as an erudite scholar and a veteran journalist.

Like earlier enumerated, Obafaiye wore many caps when he was alive. He was the vice chairman of the Honorary Members of Police Officers Mess in Kwara State where he was so committed to all activities of the club. In fact, he was one of the most regular members at the mess .He kept the mess always bubbling.

In its condolence letter to the deceased family, the chairman of the honorary members of the mess, Mr Ekundayo Mejabi, disclosed that Mr. Obafaiye was a member of the association for over thirty years and described him as the bridge between the honorary members and the hierarchy of the police force lamenting that his demise would leave a big gap that will be difficult to fill.

As a member of the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ), its chairman, Reverend Samuel Akindele described Clement Obafaiye as a fearless journalist, who was always in the vanguard of those advocating for the ethics of journalism by practitioners in the course of their duties.

The Veteran journalists acknowledge the fact that the deceased was a devoted Christian who served as an effective link between the Catholic Diocese of Ilorin and all journalists in KWARA state.

Reverend Father Chris ATOYEBI and Mr. Ade Akinnawonu of the Communication Center, Catholic Diocese of Ilorin in their own taught about the fearless journalist, said they never believed that the brief illness he had could take his life but they quickly realized that death could visit any one irrespective of age and personality.

On the spiritual front, they submitted that Clement Ojo Obafaiye served his God and humanity with his profession.

The deceased earned the respect of both active and retired journalists. He was known with some special words like "Avanlagee and me-ager.

Members of his family in particular would miss Clem as called by some of his friends.

His wife, Mrs R. B Obafaiye described him as a unique husband and a classical father as well as a man of fortitude who was always there for his family.

These were the words of some of his children. Losing my father was one of the most difficult things I have gone through. Another one said, Daddy, though, we argued but I see it as being emotional with the face of reality. Daddy, I spoke with you on that fateful Friday, and I told you to be healthy that I want you to be alive to celebrate great things but I never knew that was the last time These were the words of another child while another said, Daddy, your demise was a shock to us which we never expected and concluded by saying Rest in peace Daddy. Adieu!! Adieu!!!

With the demise of Clement Ojo Obafaiye, the race is now completed and the struggle is over.

Death no doubt is an inevitable end but it is powerfully enlightened, but you don't have to wait for someone to die to change the way you live. Clem, be at peace with your Heavenly Father.

The management and staff of Radio KWARA join others too numerous to mention to say that May the soul of Mr. Clement Ojo Obafaiye be at peace and win the crown of salvation. Amen.

Tunde Akanbi wrote this tribute from Ilorin via tundeakanbibabby@yahoo.co.uk