Ex Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Oluremi Oyo died at the age of 62. According to report, the sad news was confirmed today by her husband. It has been learnt that she passed away yesterday, October 1, in a London hospital after having been battling cancer for some period of time.

The Platform recalls the major facts from the biography of the prominent Nigerian.

Oluremi Oyo was born in 1952 in Ilorin, Kwara state. She received a Diploma in mass communication at the University of Lagos, then a post graduate Diploma in international relations at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and, to crown it all, a Master’s degree in International relations at the University of Kent at Canterbury, U.K.

Oluremi started climbing up the ladder of her career success as a cub reporter in the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, where she soon became the principal editor. This was followed by the work in NAN, where she served as editor and pioneer head of the quality control desk. For more than 10 years she also acted as Nigeria Bureau chief  for the Inter Press Service Global News Agency.

From 2003 to 2007 Oluremi served as the Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo for media and publicity. It is worth mentioning that she was the first woman to have been appointed to such position.

Appointed NAN Managing Director in 2007, she initiated the directing of the Agency to the digital age.

Oluremi, survived by husband, children and grandchildren, has been honoured by numerous prestigious awards and ranks, including a knighthood bestowed on her by Pope Benedict the 16th for her tireless work in supporting the education of girls. May her soul rest in peace.