Veteran Broadcaster with Radio Lagos/Eko FM, Pa Olatunji Owolabi, is died. He was 82.
The renowned Ikorodu based broadcaster, popularly called ‘Gbeborun’ by his admirers, died in the early hours of Sunday, January 5, 2020, at the general hospital Ikorodu, after a brief illness.
According to report, he fell sick about five days earlier and was rushed to the hospital by family members but efforts to save his life by doctors were unsuccessful.
Pa Owolabi had been reporting community news across Lagos State, particularly Ikorodu division, for several decades.
The deceased, who was in active journalism till his last breath, had his last official commissioning of the Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu, on Saturday, December 28, 2019.
He retired about twenty two (22) years ago from the service of the Radio Lagos/Eko FM but was retained due to his doggedness and commitment to work.
Since his death, tributes have been pouring in from family members, colleagues, and admirers most of whom visited his residence at Aga in Ikorodu to pay their last respect.
His wife, Mrs. Modupe Owolabi, in her own tribute, described him as a very good family man and a friendly person who accommodated everyone.
“Baba was a very good man who liked everyone. He was lovely and he brought his children and family members together,” his wife stated.
“He was a tireless man while alive. So dedicated to his work and other engagements. He hardly rest and there was no way you could hold him down,” she stated while recalling his husband’s lifestyle while alive.
“It was when he returned from the coverage of the commissioning of the Oriwu Central Mosque on Saturday, December 28, 2019, that his sickness started and I did advised him to rest and not to go out the following day.
“The sickness aggravated late in the night and we rushed him to the hospital where the doctor tired all their efforts.”
The publisher of Ikorodu News, Prince Ganny Awobajo in his own brief tribute to Pa Owolabi, wrote:
Our dear colleague, Owolabi of Radio Lagos, is gone. What a sad news and sad loss. He was a newsman of many years, may his soul rest in peace.”
Also, a young colleague and publisher/reporter-in-chief, The Impact Newspaper, in his tribute which was sent to Oriwu Sun via a text message, also wrote:
“Pa Owolabi was a very dutiful, dedicated, committed and discipline journalist. He was always ready to go after news/story and delivers as at when due which are good qualities of a good reporter.
He went as far as Ikorodu, Epe and Ibeju Lekki to gather news for Radio Lagos.
He was a role model, teacher and someone that was friendly with everyone. His death is a great loss to his family, Ekiti, Ikorodu, Lagos, Journalism world and humanity in general.
Adieu to an outstanding pen pusher who practiced till death. Sun re o, Baba Owo-Blow.”