The news of the death of Mr Bunmi Afuye,a journalist per excellence based in Akure came to me as a rude shock.
Bunmi Afuye has spent all his working life practising journalism, from Orange FM,Adaba FM and Osun state Radio Corporation (OSRC) all in Akure before joining the service of Elizade University as Senior Public Relations officer just two months ago.
From his discussions with my mentor,Dr. Wole Adamolekun,a quintessential public relations professional ,the deceased studied Engineering back in School but his love for journalism made him jettison his first Degree.
Until his death,he was pursuing a Bachelor of Mass communication degree in Joseph Ayo Babalola University and was on the verge of writing his final paper before meeting his untimely death.
Ahead of my yearly Entrepreneurship programme in Akure, I was advised to speak to him regarding Television coverage and I did met him on the 15th July, which incidentally, was the day the tragedy occured.
I approached him and he left what he was doing to have a conversation with me. Confidently,I can say he is down to earth.
He assured he will get back to me after speaking with the Director of News in OSRC.
I thanked him and he asked me to send him a message so he can remember to get back to me.
I surely did by sending him a message on Whatsapp around 8:59am and he responded saying ‘Cool.’
That was the last time I will hear from him unknowing to me.
Fast forward to a few minutes after 4pm,a colleague and friend of mine walked in to my office and told me that Mr Bunmi Afuye has been killed by robbers who stormed UBA Bank ilara-Mokin in Ondo State.
I pushed away all that was in my front in a furious manner, shocked and shattered,could this be true? DR Sunday Aniyi,Principal Private Secretary to Governor Kayode Fayemi called me all the way from EKiti to ask me if the news about the death of Bunmi Afuye was actually true. Then,it dawned on me because bad news travels faster.
The next thing I saw was pictures and video spreading like wildfire in the harmattan.
O death! Where is thy sting?
He was reported to be returning from Akure back to Elizade University, Ilara mokin where he works before driving into the hands of the robbers.
The memory of our conversation returned leaving me in deep shock.
Nigeria just ended Mr Bunmi Afuye who lost his life to the hands of angry and heartless robbers.
Sleep well Bum-Bam as he was fondly called.
It is finished.
By Tosin Adesile