NALVEJ Holds Special Prayers for Deceased Members, clerics urge Purposeful Lives

 NALVEJ Holds Special Prayers for Deceased Members, clerics urge Purposeful Lives

By Christie Doyin

The Kwara State chapter of the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ) has organised a special prayer session in honour of three of its deceased members, with clerics urging Nigerians to live purposeful lives marked by integrity, compassion, and service to humanity.

The solemn gathering, held in Ilorin, featured prayers and admonitions from Islamic and Christian clerics, who reminded participants of the inevitability of death and the need for righteous living.

Speaking at the event, Reverend Felix Ajide described death as an unavoidable reality for all mankind and urged Nigerians to make positive impacts in society while alive.

He admonished participants to remain mindful of the transient nature of life and to uphold values capable of leaving lasting legacies.

Also speaking, Islamic scholar and lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Dr. Hussain Musa Arikewusola, described death as one of the most difficult realities of human existence.

Dr. Arikewusola, who is also the Deputy Director of Academics at the Centre for Open and Distance Learning, University of Ilorin, and National Missioner of the Shaykh Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, urged Nigerians to live with integrity, faith, and consciousness of accountability before God, nothing that change is constant and permanent.

Quoting verses from the Holy Qur’an and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he noted that only Allah possesses knowledge of the exact time and place of death.

According to him, although separation from loved ones is painful, humanity must remain steadfast and prepared for the inevitable end through righteous deeds and selfless services.

“Death is inevitable and remains the hardest reality of life. No soul knows when or where it will die; therefore, mankind must always be prepared through good deeds and devotion to God,” he said.

The cleric prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed members and urged their families to sustain the good legacies they left behind.

In his remarks, Imam Faruq Busaeri Elega of Kuntu, who represented the family of the late Barrister AbdulRahman AbdulMalik, gave an account of the circumstances surrounding the late journalist’s passing and offered prayers for the deceased as well as members of the association.

The Imam admonished veteran journalists to remain honest, humble, and committed to serving society with integrity, stressing that good character and selfless service remain enduring legacies after death.

He also conveyed the appreciation of AbdulRahman’s family to NALVEJ for organising the special prayer session and prayed for unity, peace, good health, and long life for members of the association.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the Chairman of NALVEJ in Kwara State, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, explained that the prayer session was organised instead of the regular meeting of the League in memory of three members of the association, who recently passed on.

The deceased were identified as Barrister AbdulRahman AbdulMalik, Elder Ezekiel Ayanda, and Alhaji Yemi Zubair.

Akanbi said the event was aimed at honouring their contributions to journalism and society, while also reminding members and the public of the certainty of death.

He described the late journalists as committed professionals who distinguished themselves through dedication, discipline, and exemplary character during their lifetimes.

Members of the association who attended the programme paid glowing tributes to the deceased, recalling their invaluable contributions to the growth of journalism and community development in Kwara State.

Family members of the deceased journalists also appreciated NALVEJ for organising the prayer session and prayed for continued unity, strength, and divine protection for the members.

Dr Oluwatoyin Tajudeen Alabi, expressed his condolences to the family and the League's members.

He prayed that God consoles the families and friends of the deceased persons and grant the dead persons peaceful rest.