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Family members, friends and colleagues of the late founder of media NGO, Journalists Against AIDS (JAIDS) Nigeria, have gathered to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the demise of the man who stood strong for HIV/AIDS issues in Nigeria and on the continent.
The memorial held at the International Press Centre (IPC), Ogba, Lagos, was a time for participants to reflect on the life and times of the man who gave his all to the fight against discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
Falobi was shot by yet to be apprehended hoodlums while he was returning from a speaking engagement in Lagos on Thursday 5th October 2006.
However, after 10 years, the work he left behind is still on ground and still providing support for a lot of people living with HIV in terms of supplying information and rendering aids to both the infected and the affected individuals.
Younger brother of the deceased, Sanmi Falobi was full of appreciation to God who has kept the family and the work Omololu lived and died for. “I appreciate God sincerely for his support for the family. It is not easy to lose a loved one with so much responsibilities but we thank God and the people He has used to keep supporting his course,” Sanmi Falobi said.
The two-day remembrance activities featured various good will messages and coming together of family members, loved ones and colleagues of the late journalist.
“Omololu was an outstanding journalist I must say. He was so passionate about whatever he was involved in,” says Gbenga Osinaike. The former Assistant Editor at the Punch newspaper, who now publishes Church Times Nigeria, Osinaike added that, “He was a young man though but has a leadership quality which gave him early responsibilities. He carried even older people along without being rude to them, the world is actually missing him.”
Wife of the deceased Falobi, Ronke Falobi at the memorial event told participants how her husband played duties of a responsible husband. “Omololu was a responsible, kind and generous husband when he was alive,” she confessed.
Executive Director of JAAIDS who took over from Falobi, Olayide Akanni at the memorial gave insights into the life and times of the deceased and his work at JAAIDS. “10 years seem like yesterday,” she said.
Founder of Paedia Express, Abdulmumuni Adeku also talked about the late Falobi. “It is always a great loss to the world when you lose an intellectual giant like Omolou Falobi but the great thing about him is that his ideas have outlived him and this is key.” Adeku added that, “If you have an idea which dies after you are gone, then you have not really impacted on your world. I hope that he rests peacefully with the angels, amen.”
Tayo Falobi is a cousin to the deceased. The former JAAIDS staff is still pained with the loss of his first cousin. “Painful memory of a pleasant heart. There shall be no peace on earth and beyond for the perpetrators. Adieu.”
The late Falobi who was once a features editor at the Punch newspaper, is survived by his aged mother, wife, three young children, siblings and friends and professional colleagues. Mr. Babalola Falobi is his eldest brother who also still misses his younger brother. “Just like yesterday. Still a painful loss, even ten years after,” he said.
To the publisher of PTL News, a Christian newspaper, Julius Adegunna, it is still a tragic loss. “May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace,” he said.
Praying the Lord to continually be with the family of the deceased is a former staff of JAAIDS, Benedicta Donald-Egesi. “The Lord will continue to uphold and bless his family,” she prayed.
Director of the International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade who was one close associate to the late Falobi commented on Facebook, believing that Omololu still lives. “Time flies but good memory lingers. Omololu lives on as his soul continues to rest in peace.” While The founder of Cee-Hope, an NGO currently working among girls in Makoko slums of Lagos said Omololu’s was a life was great life of impacts. Your memory inspires! Continue to rest in peace.”
Another person who believes Omololu Falobi’s work still speaks even after 10 years is a senior staff of the New Telegraph newspaper, Mrs. Appolonia Adeyemi. “Rest in Peace. Your good works surely speak for themselves!’ She said.
Omololu Falobi in his time sought to defend the defenseless and the less privileged even outside the HIV patients community. His hands of fellowship extended to other minority groups. One of the leaders of the minority groups Falobi interacted with was Adewale Adeyanju, a hearing impaired professional and social worker.
According to Adeyanju, “Omololu Falobi also impacted us in disability community via enlightenment and advocacy efforts on HIV/AIDS. Rest in the bosom of your Lord, Omololu Falobi.”
Story by Dayo Emmanuel
@DAYOEMMANUEL
