The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Correspondents Chapel has announced the sudden passing away of its member, Elder Elijah Olaluyi, describing it as a rude shock.
It was earlier reported that Olaluyi died on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 9:45 pm in Abuja after a brief illness.
The late Olaluyi was not only a member of the Chapel, but also a unifying factor who played an advisory role in ensuring peace and stability within the union. Until his death, he was the senior photojournalist with the New Telegraph Newspaper.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, Chapel Chairman, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, confirmed the death, saying it has created a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of our colleague, brother, and father, Elder Elijah Olaluyi, who died today, Friday, October 18, 2024, after a brief illness.”
The leadership of the Chapel extends heartfelt condolences to Olaluyi’s immediate family, the management and staff of the New Telegraph Newspaper, the Photojournalist Association of Nigeria (PJAN), the House of Representatives Press Corps, and the NUJ FCT Council.
“We pray for the bereaved family to have the strength and resilience to endure this great loss,” Oyekunle said. “Olaluyi was an exemplary, peace-loving, unpretentious, and hard-working journalist who discharged his duties with diligence, devotion, and integrity.
He was a core professional, accommodating, and jovial during his lifetime and will be greatly missed by his friends, colleagues, and admirers.”
Olaluyi, 61, hailed from Ilase in Ipokia Local Government of Ogun State. He is survived by his wife, five children, and grandchildren. The burial arrangement will be announced by the family in due course.