The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday described the late Hajiya Rafat Onyeche Salami, an assistant director with the Voice of Nigeria (VON), who died in the early hours of last Friday in Abuja, as a hardworking, dedicated and God-fearing journalist who lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

He spoke on Sunday in Abuja at the third day Firdau (requiem) prayers organised for the deceased by the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS).

The minister said the late veteran journalist followed the dictates of Prophet Muhammad till she breathed her last in the course of Islam.

He said, “Rafat’s death was shocking to me. She was hardworking, dedicated and God-fearing. The Nigeria Guild of Editors, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Newspapers Proprietor Association of Nigeria all are mourning Rafat. She lived a good life. She followed the footstep of the Prophet (Muhammad). We at the Ministry of Information are mourning her. We should prepare for death at all times.”

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Earlier, the Chief Imam of Al- Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS), Guzape, Abuja, where Rafat worshipped, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, during the prayer session for the deceased, said she contributed in no small measure to building of the AIS Mosque describing her as a devotee, who spent most of her time propagating Islam and a devoted mother whose love for her family was unquantifiable.

Adeyemi urged Muslims to always prepare for the Last Day, saying death is inevitable and nobody knows when death would come knocking.

“Hajia Rafat contributed greatly to the building and growth of this Mosque. Her life was 24/7 around the Mosque and her family. She was a woman of substance and was instrumental to the spread of Islam through the media. It’s time we devote ourselves to the cause of Allah because we don’t know the last day.

“With her activities here on earth, she prepared for a day like this. Whether we have or not, we should contribute to the cause of Almighty Allah. As we are praying for her, our (Al-Habibiyyah) branch in Ilorin are also organising prayer for her,” Adeyemi said in an emotional-laden voice.

Some of the guests at the event spoke glowingly of Rafat as a woman of integrity, honour and compassion whose ability and capability was topnotch.

The Hajiya Rafat served as Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council and played a pivotal role in hosting the International Press Institute Congress in 2018.

Salami was recently re-elected as the Treasurer of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria Leadership.