Death sneaked into the house of Nigerian journalism, Thursday morning, and plucked one of its brightest stars, Alhaji Kola Muslim Animasaun.
Animasaun, prolific writer, ace columnist, and a former Chairman, Editorial Board of Vanguard Media Limited, died peacefully at home in the early hours of Thursday. He was buried at about 2p.m., the same day, at the Markaz Mosque Cemetery in Agege, Lagos.
From Saudi Arabia, where he is attending a summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, OIC, President Muhammadu Buhari condoled with the Animasaun Family, his friends and the management of Vanguard Media Limited, publishers of Vanguard Newspapers, praying Allah to grant the deceased sweet repose.
A release issued by Mallam Garba Shehu, Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, stated that Buhari also commiserated with the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, on the demise of “one of the country’s most trusted and respected columnists.”
The statement continues: “President Buhari believes that Animasaun would be long remembered and honoured for the rich and elucidating write-ups in the Voice of Reason column he leaves behind.”
He said that Animasaun would also be remembered for the many literary works he authored, as well as the array of media professionals he trained and mentored on the ethics of the noble pen profession.
The president also paid glowing tribute to Animasaun’s literary prowess and his enormous contributions to the development of journalism in the country.
Dr. Qasim Akinreti, chairman of the Lagos State Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, who visited Animasaun the night before he passed, took to his Whatsapp handle to eulogise and announce the passing of the great journalist, disclosing:
“I visited him at home yesterday night in company of two journalists. I held his hand and prayed for him. I am glad he lived a fulfilled life. My condolence goes to the entire Vanguard chapel family and NUJ Lagos council at large. We lost a rear gem in the industry.”
