It was a grim but necessary task – the funeral of Precious Ayoola Owolabi, the Channels Television reporter who was killed in Monday’s clash of protesting Shiite sect members with the police in Abuja. His remains were buried in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Precious, 21, was a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) observing the mandatory one-year programme with the Abuja office of Channels Television.
It was a scene of anguish – of his parents, siblings and relation – at the Wusasa Cemetery, Zaria, where his remains were interred.
A funeral service followed the farewell songs and final salute from officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Owolabi’s mother, who expressed shock over her son’s death, told The Nation that her son had promised her that he was going to be famous, but she never thought he was going to be famous in death.
Mrs. Owolabi, in tears, recalled that her son was a well-behaved, cultured and easy-going young man.
She said: “He loved his books. If you are looking for him, just go to his room, you will meet him either reading or writing.
“He used to tell us he would become famous in life. But I never thought he meant to say, he would be famous in death.”
Sharing their last moments together, the deceased father, Mr. Ayo Owolabi, said his son’s promising future was cut short by death.
He said the late Precious had fallen in love with journalism, although he studied Theatre and Performing Art. His encounter with the Channels Television, he said, had made him to fall in love with journalism.
Owolabi, a Deputy Director with the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, said:”Ayoade (Precious) had a promising future, but it was cut short by death.
“He graduated at 20 and I wanted him to have a straight flight to PhD after his NYSC scheme.
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“Though he read Theatre Art from the University of Ilorin, but his coming into contact withChannels Television during his NYSC had made him fallen in love with journalism. He was always engaged in the Channels TV job that he was going to work on Sundays.
“In fact, his sister just bought a TV camera tripod for him. He asked me to plan buying a camera for him. He said it would cost about N300, 000 and I told him, I will buy,” he said.
Precious’ father burst into tears as he spoke. ”I wanted a straight flight to PhD for him, but I never knew it would be a straight flight to death,” he said.
NYSC Director-General Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, who was represented by the Zonal Inspector in charge of Zaria, Mrs. Silifatu Bandele, described the late Precious as “a hard-working patriot”.
The NYSC chief said: “I am grieved to read this funeral oration today on behalf of the Director-General, State Coordinator, FCT, Abuja, staff and corps members nationwide in respect of late Precious Owolabi Ayo, whose unfortunate death occurred while on duty covering the violent protest by members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Abuja on 22nd July, 2019.
“Precious was hardworking and patriotic to his duty. He answered the clarion call to serve his father land and made tremendous impact right from the Orientation Camp to his Place of Primary Assignment at the Channels Television Abuja.
“Though we can say unequivocally that his life was fruitful as he exhibited high sense of responsibility in assigned duties at his place of work and also outstanding in patriotic service to our nation Nigeria.
“Precious served our country without blemish and if wishes were horses, we at the NYSC family would have wished that this young boy lying before us lives on. However, our wishes are not God’s will. I, therefore, call on the bereaved family to look on to God and bear this irreparable loss. We equally pray that God grants his soul eternal rest.
“We members of the NYSC family, Director-General, Brig. General Shuaibu Ibrahim management, staff and entire corps members in FCT Abuja, wish you our fallen hero farewell and God’s abiding grace. Adiu Precious.”
The management of Channels Television was also represented at the burial. [THE NATION]
