- Association names centre after departed journalist
The memories of her gentle disposition to life evoked emotions.
Family members, friends, and colleagues of the late Assistant Editor at The Nation, Mrs. Yetunde Oladeinde, were in a pensive mood as they held a service of songs for her yesterday.
The management and workers of the newspaper joined family and friends to pay their last respects to the woman they fondly called Grandma.
The late Mrs. Oladeinde (nee Francis), who reported Fashion/Women for the weekend edition of the newspaper, passed away on February 19.
She was 56.
The celebration of her eventful life into eternal glory took place at Power Line Estate in Magboro on the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way in Ogun State.
Everyone at the sombre event reminisced about the positive impact the departed had on their professional and personal lives.
The service of songs featured several hymns, heartfelt speeches, and a moment of reflection for the attendees.
In an emotional tribute, The Nation’s Weekend Editor Festus Eriye described the late journalist as a jovial and friendly person.
He said: “I have worked with Yetunde for many years and, until she passed away, I was her direct supervisor. She was a beautiful person in the workplace. By nature, the newsroom is a very lively place. You have to be quick-witty to survive. In addition, she was quick-witted, very friendly, very funny person. She caused a lot of laughter in the newsroom.
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“But, over the years, I also noticed she had become a very reserved person, carrying herself with lots of dignity.
“People can speak to all aspects of our life, but I will speak concerning the professional side. Yetunde was a famous Nigerian journalist. She has worked with some of the biggest newspapers you can think of in Nigeria – from the days of Concord to Daily Sun to National Life. And she worked with The Nation.
“I will say this about her: in all the years she worked with us and, by the nature of the kind of job that we do, we are slaves to deadlines. In all the years she worked with me, her section was never late. That speaks to her professionalism.”
Sharing her fond memories of the late Oladeinde, the Executive Coordinator of Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation and Chairperson of National Advocacy Committee, Association of Nigerian Women Business Network (ANWBN), Mrs. Foluke Ademokun, announced that the association had named the Women Information and Innovation Centre at Olugbede Market in Egbeda, Lagos, after Mrs. Yetunde Oladeinde.
She said the centre would be launched today in commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD).
According to Ademokun, the centre will be used to provide financial literacy skills for women operating micro-enterprises within the informal sector and for capacity development on business development, taxation, and credit among others.
Partners involved include Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation Association of Nigerian Women Business Network Association of Nigerian Women In Business, CISLAC, Tax Justice Network Lagos, WBG Community Connections and Campaign Project International Budget Partnership.
Oladeinde was the National Secretary of ANWBN and, until her death, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator and Secretary of its Board of Trustees (BoT).
She was also the National President of Business and Professional Women Nigeria (BPWN) before her demise.
A church member said the late Mrs. Oladeinde was a great asset to the church.
Her daughter, Olubusola, said she would always miss her lovely mother.
“We are deeply touched by the overwhelming support and presence at the service of songs for our beloved late mother. Thank you for sharing in the memories and celebrating the life of an incredible woman,” she said.
She is survived by her husband and four children.
Officiating ministers at the service of songs included Pastor Wole Olukunle, Pastor Nwachukwu Emedike, Pastor Tayo Aranmolate, Pastor Ashiri Adesanya, Pastor Rotimi Onasanya, Pastor David Oyekola, and Pastor Ayo Smith.