Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has described the death of GongNews publisher, Olajide Fashikun, as a huge loss to journalism and the sport industry.
A statement by Mr Dalung’s spokesman, Nneka Ikem-Anibuze, said the minister expressed deep shock over the death that occurred early Sunday, at the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
“It is a very sad day for sports journalists and athletes in the country.
“Jide created a platform to support athletes and stimulate performance through his mobilization of training funds to assist athletes.
“This made us look forward to a better podium performance in the years ahead.
“Today, the curtains have been drawn on that project,” he said.
Dalung paid glowing tributes to the former ThisDay journalist who excelled not only in sports reportage but also politics and investigative writing.
“Jide, a dedicated journalist who went far to uphold the truth. He was a fighter, fearless, thorough and an epitome of investigative journalism while contributing immensely to grassroots sports development.
“His love for grassroots sports informed his personal effort to raise funds for athletes to train with and prepare for future Olympic Games.
“Now, Jide is gone. I pray that God will receive him and give his wife and family the fortitude to bear this loss,” Dalung said.
Aged 54, Fashikun was an ex -international handball player and athlete.
He initiated the Nigeria Sports Development Fund to raise money for athletes to prepare for five sports at the Olympics.
He had served as chairman, Kwara State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and a lecturer at Kwara Polytechnic among other milestones.
