The Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi, has described the sudden death of Deacon Ayo Ositelu as a great loss to both the media and sports sector.
Abdullahi said he was shocked and saddened by the unexpected demise of the veteran journalist, Ositelu, who contributed greatly to sports development in Nigeria through excellent articles and opinions.
He recalled that Ositelu was very active in the media and sports circuits over the years and was a great advocate of tennis, which he promoted through his column in The Guardian.
"He would greatly be missed, especially at this time when we need all hands to move Nigerian sports forward. The vacuum he left would be very difficult to fill. I wish his family the fortitude to bear this loss," the minister said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday expressed deep grief at the death of seasoned sports analyst, writer and administrator, Deacon Ayo Ositelu.
Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Emeka Inyama said, "The NFF is shocked to receive news of the passing of one of the best sports journalists and commentators that this country has ever produced.
"He worked very hard and was meticulous. We mourn him because he was a good man. But we are consoled by the undisputed fact that he left his giant footprints in the sands of time, not only in tennis reporting, but in the entire sports arena."
Nicknamed Arena, late Deacon Ayo Ositelu worked with some leading national dailies, including The Punch (where he edited Sunday Punch) andThe Guardian – where he was a member of the editorial board. He left no one in doubt of his mastery of his vocation, with fascinating presentation of historical facts and matchless previews and reviews wrapped in excellent prose.
•Group Sports Editor of The Punch (1982-1984)
•Editor Sunday Punch (1984-87);
•Chairman, Lagos State Lawn Tennis Association (1992-1999);
•Member, Nigeria Lawn Tennis Association (1984-89);
•National Sports Merit Award recipient in 2003
•Executive Chairman, Ejigbo LCDA (2003-2008);
•Author of the evergreen Sports Column titled 'THE ARENA' in The Punch, National Concord, The Guardian (1981 till date);
•Member, Federal Government Delegation to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games;
•Consultant to the Editorial Board of The Guardian newspaper – 2001 till date
