Corpse Flown Into Lagos
By Wole Shadare
VISITORS and passengers to the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 were surprised at the convergence of cream of journalists who waited patiently to pay their last respect to one of their own.
More than 500 journalists had arrived at the airport as early as 8am to receive the corpse of veteran broadcaster, Ladi Lawal, who passed on in the early hours of yesterday after a brief illness in an Abuja hospital.
Lawal was until his death, the group managing-director of DAAR Communications, owners of African Independent Television (AIT), and Ray Power Radio.
Among the anxious waiters were Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, managing-director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, president, Guild of Editors and Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, former editor of the Punch.
Others present were Mrs. Funke Fadugba, former chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) (Lagos Chapter), Mr. Kayode Komolafe, deputy managing-director of ThisDay and Mr. Wahab Oba, chairman, NUJ, Lagos.
Also on hand to receive the corpse was former chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Alhaji Awwal Tukur, the chairman of Ejigbo Local Government, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan and many other notable journalists.
Tukur described the late Lawal as one of the best broadcasters the country has ever had, adding that he was a fine gentleman, who took his job seriously by applying the highest ethical standards in the profession.
He said the renowned broadcaster would be missed greatly by those who had come in contact with him, noting that he rose to the pinnacle of his carrier as the managing director of DAAR Communications.
It was, however, a wailing session immediately the Chanchangi aircraft bearing the late ace broadcaster's body was announced.
Sympathisers thronged forward to the cargo area of the terminal in a bid to see his body. But they were disappointed as the brown coffin bearing his remains was draped in a transparent clothing material. The aircraft arrived at 2pm.
As a customized metallic colour Mercedes Benz, with a customized number plate, TOS 5, pulled up near the anxious crowd, emotion ran high, as the people, not able to control themselves, yelled, extolling the virtues of the late broadcaster.
Security personnel had a hectic time controlling the huge convoy of cars that were on hand to escort Lawal to his final resting-place.
Chairman of DAAR Communications, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, dressed in a sky-blue T-shirt, dark blue jeans and a sky-blue fez cap, joined in the control of the long vehicle.
He went to the senior managers of his company to condole them, urging them to pull themselves together and face the challenges of life. He occasionally wiped his tearful eyes with a white handkerchief.
Activities at the terminal were paralysed as those departing, arriving and workers came out to catch a glimpse of what was happening. The long convoy left the airport area at about 2.30pm.
The occasion provided an opportunity for friends, who had not seen for long, to talk about the profession and renew contacts, as many were heard talking about the callousness of death.
The late veteran broadcaster, who was one of the pioneer staff of Daar Communications, succumbed to death yesterday at an Abuja Hospital after a long-time battle with liver problem.
Reacting to the sad development, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), said he received with shock and deep sadness the news of the death.
In a press statement released at the weekend and signed by Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the Governor described Lawal's demise as a tragic loss not just to his family, DAAR Communications and the media industry, but also to the entire country.
According to Fashola: "Alhaji Lawal distinguished himself as an outstanding broadcaster who was passionately committed to the highest professional standards and rose to the apex of his chosen career through uncommon industry, commitment, ingenuity and diligence."
Recalling the deceased's indelible contributions to the development of the NUJ, the governor noted that, "as Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the NUJ, Alhaji Lawal demonstrated the courage, dynamism and leadership skills in protecting the noble values and ethics of the journalism profession as well as promoting the welfare of media practitioners at all times."
He said these qualities were equally amply evident in Lawal when he served meritoriously as National President of the NUJ.
"Alhaji Lawal would be remembered for introducing the concept of 'journalism with relevance' to the NUJ and helping to elevate the union to a higher pedestal that earned it greater respect from other professionals and the general public," he said.
Fashola also extolled Lawal's managerial acumen that saw him being a key member for several years of the core management cadre of DAAR Communications that has uplifted the organization to its pride of place in the Nigerian broadcast industry.
While praying for the eternal repose of the soul of the late Nigerian patriot, the governor also prayed to the Almighty Allah to console and comfort members of his immediate family, all his loved ones as well as his professional colleagues at DAAR Communications, the NUJ both in Lagos State and the national level and the media industry as a whole.
