By ISAAC OLUSESI
The popular voice of the late journalist characteristically tore through, and distinctly penetrated the radio internet frequencies where her talking words, shrewd, deliberately quite sound, and wide ranged with far reaching meanings, blared gently and shook the radio frequency modulation waves of interconnected networks.
Dr Thomas Olaleye Ogungbangbe made the remarks while reacting to the death of Journalist Taiwo Kekere-ekun of the global fame on Fresh104.9FM, Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, adding that the immensely talented radio journalist expanded the frontiers of broadcast journalism, her area of competence by comparative advantage and proved the space to the robust acknowledgement of her high level performances and meteoric global acceptance with the listenership signature.
The obsession of Kekere-ekun, the radio amazon, to professionalism and professional practice, with commanding heights in broadcast journalism, never had, for once, beaten a retreat, audaciously invaded the turf that men had hitherto made their preserve. And she got the global frequency bands charged at every turn of her three different programmes: newspapers review _(Atupale irohin),_ young & bold _(Kekere akin)_ and one other beat. Her captivity to the art of broadcast journalism was so much engrossed in maturity.
“It’s in the know that her talking voice on the radio beats, most engagingly in the deep recess of her citadel of knowledge and professionalism with expertise on the intricacies of the profession and her eyes, beamed passionately towards a future. But death, over which no man or woman has any control, came in mid-passage.
“I commiserate with the proprietor, management and staff of Fresh 104.9FM, Osogbo; Osun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the state chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ); and my condolences also to the deceased family, friends, aquitances, and fans” Ogungbangbe, the Ijesa birthed progressive politician, said with prayers for the repose of the soul of the late Vice-chairperson of NAWOJ in the state.
Journalist Kekere-ekun succumbed to death, Monday, June 24, 2024 after a brief battle with illness, and a commendation service, held for her, Thursday, July 4, at the NUJ Press Center, Osogbo, with her interment, same day in Ilase – Ijesa in Obokun local government council area of the state.
The professional ascent of the departed did not come by happenstance. She reportedly grew up by her own strength. And she proved her worth, professionally better and fuIfilled with a certain degree of responsibility and accountability as she practised the profession, professionally, without constraints or oddities just as she didn’t bend to pressures, subtle or hardline. She rather upheld the ethics of the profession of journalism by her pursuits of truth to her audiences without fear or favour, and neither painted in political colours nor snickered to prejudices.
Adieu, Journalist Kekere-ekun, _omo Ijesa, omo Owa, omo ekun_
*OLUSESI writes via isaacolusesi@gmail.com*