Tragedy on Wednesday hit the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), as a media guru and proprietor of a flourishing business Magazine, Marketing Edge, John Ajayi, was announced dead.
Ajayi, a native of Ijan Ekiti, in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, died at the early hours of December 10, 2023, after a brief illness.
He was aged 62 years.
The heartbroken news was revealed through a statement signed by his younger brother and Executive Chairman, Gbonyin Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, Hon Oluwadamilare Ajayi, on Thursday.
Ajayi, after practicing journalism spanning over two decades, where he had a stint at Thisday Newspapers, founded Marketing Edge, which remains a flagship in business Magazine in Nigeria.
During his practising days, the deceased won many prime media laurels, both in Nigeria and abroad, making him a core and revered professional, whose pen was mighty in the field.
The late Ajayi, was one of those professionals, who elevated journalism practice to higher and respectable pedestal as a reporter, Editor and Media Proprietor.
He was a vibrant and dependable member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos Chapter, during his days.
The late media guru was also a quintessential community leader in his Ijan Ekiti country home.
His priceless contributions to the development of Ijan Ekiti earned him the prestigious chieftaincy title of Asiwaju of Ijan Ekiti, bestowed on him by Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, HRH Oba Lawrence Adebanji Aladesuyi (AFAYAGBEKUN II).
He was an alumnus of the highly venerated University of Lagos, Akoka, where he bagged Bachelor and Master’s degrees before veering into journalism practice.
Oluwadamilare Ajayi described his brother’s sudden demise as devastating and traumatizing, not only to his immediate family, but to the entire Ijan Ekiti kingdom, friends and the church of God.
He however, said his indelible imprints will continually be felt through the priceless roles he championed in communal development, human empowerment and immeasurable contributions to journalism profession, where he had a blossoming career.
He is survived by his wife, lovely children, brothers, sisters and many other affectionate, whose impressive life’s trajectory had touched in resounding and positive ways.
“Burial arrangements will be announced later”, the statement said.