The Chairman of Agege Local Government Council, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi led a delegation to pay condolence visit to the family of  veteran journalist, Late Alhaji Kola Animashahun at Adegbite Close, Dopemu, Agege on Sunday, 30th June, 2019.

The group was recieved by his widow, Mrs Silphat Animashaun, Mr. Adeboye Animashaun and Mrs. Opeyemi Sarumi, their son and daughter respectively.

During the visit, Ganiyu Egunjobi presented a condolence letter to the bereaved family, described the late Animashaun as a man of dignity with high sense of morality, whom everybody who had relationship with was well pleased and proud of, adding that the deceased contribution to Nigeria through journalism profession is ranked high.

“Alhaji Animashaun was a journalist per excellence, a gentleman, a conscientious and decent person, who was committed to the development of Nigeria and bestrode the media like a colossus. His write-ups were insightful, inspiring and for some of us, it was a weekly tonic. He personified piety and professional excellence. It is my hope that many of us can replicate him and stay on the straight and narrow,” Egunjobi said.

Egunjobi went further on immoralization saying, “We are happy that he has not died unsung. On our part at the council, we have come up with an annual essay competition to immortalise him. It will be contested by public junior secondary school pupils in Agege every July 5 on his posthumous birthday anniversary.

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“Apart from imortalising the late veteran journalist, the other aims are: to encourage reading culture, creative writing among school children and recognise hard work and talent of aspiring young writers.” 

He concluded by urging the family he left behind to uphold his principles by being above board, and maintained a strong work ethic.

In response, Mr. Adeboye Animashaun who spoke on behalf of the bereaved family, expressed surprise and appreciation at the imortalisation of their patriarch by the council.

“We truly appreciate your effort at imortalising Alhaji Animashaun and accept our gratitude for deeming it worthy to confer enduring fame on him.” Adeboye said.

Late Alhaji Animashaun was a popular columnist, former Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Vanguard and hailed from Agege.  He died on May 30, 2019 at age 80.