Veteran Nigerian journalist Olugbemi Adeniyi dies at 57 in Abeokuta

The Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel confirmed the passing of the seasoned media professional Olugbemi Adeniyi. Adeniyi, who was 57 years old, passed away in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following a brief illness. The news has cast a shadow over the media community in Sokoto State, with colleagues expressing deep shock and sorrow over the loss of a respected professional.

Adeniyi was a prominent figure in Nigerian journalism, known for his dedication to the craft and his active participation in union activities. He served as a correspondent for LEADERSHIP Newspaper in Sokoto before his death. Beyond his roles at major news organizations, he served as the publisher of The Guild Newspaper, a platform he used to guide emerging reporters and advocate for ethical news coverage in Sokoto and other regions. His death has been described by union leaders as a devastating blow to the profession.

Background

Olugbemi Adeniyi built a career that spanned several leading media organisations across Nigeria. According to the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, he hailed from Yelwa in Ogun State. His professional journey included stints at the Tribune Newspaper in Yola, Adamawa State, where he served as a correspondent. Following that, he became part of The Sun Newspaper and eventually the Taraba State Newspaper, where his reporting efforts continued to set him apart.

Adeniyi also worked for The Punch Newspaper, rising to the position of Bureau Chief in Sokoto. He later joined LEADERSHIP Newspaper, where colleagues noted his analytical depth and fearless reporting style. Before his passing, he founded his own publication, The Guild Magazine, which allowed him to remain active in the industry and support emerging talent. Until his passing, he also served as the secretary for the Sokoto State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

Why it matters

The death of Olugbemi Adeniyi has left a significant void in the journalism community of Sokoto State. Ankeli Emmanuel, who chairs the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, portrayed Adeniyi as a diligent and approachable peer who was deeply dedicated to journalistic standards and conduct. Emmanuel noted that Adeniyi was far more than just a union member, emphasizing that his presence, wisdom, and advice would be greatly lacking. He referred to the deceased reporter as a treasure whose impact on the Chapel would stay permanently etched in the minds of his fellow professionals.

Musa Ubandawaki, the Secretary of the Chapel, highlighted Adeniyi’s humility, diligence, and passion for his work, noting that these qualities endeared him to many within and outside the profession. The union emphasised that Adeniyi’s reports had shaped public discourse in every state where he practised, and his pen gave voice to the voiceless. The loss extends beyond professional duties, leaving behind cherished relationships and shared experiences that colleagues will remember fondly. The NUJ urged its members to stay together during this time of sorrow and to keep honoring the professional principles that defined Adeniyi’s career.

What happens next

The NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel offered sincere sympathies to Adeniyi’s close relatives, friends, professional peers, and the members of the SWAN Sokoto State Chapter. The union has prayed for eternal rest for the deceased and for the strength of his family and the wider journalism community to bear the irreparable loss. While specific details regarding funeral arrangements or future union initiatives in his honour were not provided in the initial announcements, the focus remains on mourning the loss and celebrating his professional legacy.