Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT Chapter has expressed deep grief over the sudden death of its veteran Practitioner, Mr Olajide Fashikun who died in the early hours of Sunday, January 27, 2019, aged 54.
Chairman of the Association, Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka who cut short his time at Church service, could barely speak immediately the shocking News was broken to him.
He immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja where the late sage had received treatment before he was deposited at the Mortuary, located within same hospital premise.
Chidoka eventually muttered, “I lack words to describe Jide who is committed to both his job and the service of his Colleagues through SWAN. His legacies as long as Journalism is concerned can’t be forgotten in a hurry.
“What more can I say if not to pray God who knows and sees everything to give his family, Sports Writers, the entire Media Practitioners and the entire sporting world the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Popularly known as Dudu-dudu Dara, Fashikun who died while receiving treatment at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja was the Publisher of a popular online stable, Gongnews.com
Samuel Fashikun, younger brother to Olajide, who briefed the leadership of Abuja SWAN on how former Sports Editor with ThisDay and Herald Newspapers passed on revealed that Jide had suffered partial stroke before he was hurriedly taken to the hospital where he spent over one week.
He confirmed that the family would soon meet and spell out the burial plans.
Only recently, Fashikun, an ex-SWAN Chairman in Kwara state, was appointed to head a Squad of experienced Media ‘Gurus’ saddled with the responsibility of re-branding SWAN National platform.
SWAN President, Comrade Honour Sirawo who just returned from 82nd AIPS General Congress, held in Lausanne, Switzerland, equally received the news of his exit with shock saying, “I never imagined what I’m hearing. It’s unbelievable to hear that Jide is no more. I met with him in December when he shared his vision on how he intended to bring his wealth of experience to bear in handling the task the National SWAN choose him for. I’m deeply pained. May his soul rest in peace.”
Aside the leadership and members of SWAN who were at the hospital/mortuary, Technical Director of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation and Olympian Chika Chukwumerije and Olympic Medalist Mary Onyali were among early callers at FMC.
