The Nigerian media landscape has lost a trailblazer with the death of Mrs. Rafat Onyecher Salami, Assistant Director of Digital Media at Voice of Nigeria (VON).
Salami, a seasoned broadcast journalist, passed away on Thursday at about 11pm.
Known for her professionalism and commanding presence, she made an indelible mark in the field of journalism throughout her illustrious career.
Brief History
Joining VON in 2001 as a news correspondent and producer, Salami quickly rose to prominence with her incisive reporting and production of flagship programs like VONSCOPE, Sixty Minutes, and Africa Hour. Fluent in English, Hausa, Yoruba, and Ebira, her multilingual skills and sharp editorial acumen set her apart.
Her dedication to the craft earned her recognition as one of the station’s star journalists, particularly for her health and human-interest reporting.
Beyond her newsroom contributions, Salami was an active unionist and advocate for press freedom.
She served as Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Council and played a pivotal role in hosting the International Press Institute Congress in 2018.
Salami was recently re-elected as the Treasurer of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria Leadership and celebrated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She was also deeply involved with the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), where she championed gender equity and mentored young journalists.
A devout Muslim and humanitarian, Salami devoted herself to service through initiatives like the VON Anti-Corruption Group and the Al-Habiyya Muslim organization.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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