How sports journalist, Akinloye, lost battle to heart failure
...Kwara Gov, Abdulrazaq mourns Oyebanji
He had premonition of death
…his last wish-Family
More facts have emerged on the death of Nigerian veteran sports journalist, Akinloye Oyebanji.
The retired Director of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) died Saturday morning at the age of 62.
His family confirmed that Oyebanji passed on at National Hospital, Abuja, after protracted battle with heart failure.
A family member, Mr Bukoye Oyebanji disclosed that the late journalist had been bedridden for about four months before he breathe his last.
The deceased’s relative added that the family had spent millions of naira to save his life without any improvement.
“Sometime ago, he had the misfortune of losing his kidneys, and they were replaced successfully through a transplant in India.
“But one of the side effects of kidney transplant is heart failure, which he had experienced on two occasions and survived.”
Recalling Oyebanji’s last moment, his blossom friend, Dr. Steve Olarinoye, said he had premonition of his death.
Olarinoye further said that the veteran journalist before his death had lost hope of survival.
“He called his eldest daughter, Bunmi and told her to ensure she takes care of her siblings. He prayed for his children that they will be greater than him. That was his last statement,” Olarinoye recalled.
He described late Akinloye as a very accommodating man and a philanthropist.
“After his retirement, he established a farm in Nasarawa. We thank God for his life. He led a successful life,” Olarinoye stated.
Also speaking on Akinloye’s demise, his colleague at NTA, Mohammad Abdulkadri described his death as a great loss to Kwara State.
He stated this in a telephone chat with this medium yesterday.
“Akinloye Oyebanji’s death is a big blow to Nigeria and Nigerians especially to the lovers of sports and the esteemed family of Sports broadcasters.
“As a veteran commentator, analyst and journalist of national and international repute he will be missed greatly as a sports personality who left his footprints on the sands of time and wrote his name in gold for posterity.”
Continuing, “His primary constituency, Nigerian Television Authority is in a state of mourning for the loss of one of its very best just as his home state, Kwara has lost one of her worthy ambassadors at a time when his service is still in hot demand to reposition Sports that is so dear to the heart of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led administration’.
“May Almighty Allah comfort and console his immediate and extended families and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. ”
Oyebanji served the NTA for 35 years in different capacities, including being a sports broadcaster, and later as General Manager (Sports).
He retired as Managing Director of NTA Properties at the authority’s headquarters in Abuja.
Oyebanji, who hailed from Kwara, is survived by four children and a wife.
…Kwara Gov, Abdulrazaq mourns Oyebanji
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed sadness at the death of veteran sportscaster, Akinloye Oyebanji, aged 62 years.
“We commiserate with the family, colleagues, friends and the NTA where the veteran journalist served for 35 years in various capacity,” according to a statement by AbdulRazaq’s spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.
The statement said the late journalist would be remembered for his contributions to sports writing in the country.
“The Governor prays the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and comfort the family,” the statement added.
