The International Press Institute,IPI, Nigeria has announced plans to immortalize its late Treasurer, Rafat Idris Salami, through an annual endowment prize at the University of Abuja, UniAbuja, her alma mater.
In a statement on Friday, the institute said the prize will promote the values Salami embodied throughout her career, particularly integrity, courage, professionalism and selfless service.
The decision was reaffirmed at the opening session of the 2025 IPI Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting held on December 2 in Abuja.
Late Salami, who served as Assistant Director of Digital Media at the Voice of Nigeria,VON, died on December 20, 2024—barely days after she fully participated in the institute’s maiden annual conference despite battling a severe illness.
During his welcome address at this year’s conference, IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, led members and guests—including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris—in a one-minute silence in her honour.
Mojeed described Salami as a symbol of commitment, recalling how she attended last year’s conference even while confined to a wheelchair.
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He said she greeted guests, coordinated logistics, captured moments with her phone and worked tirelessly “until her body could no longer carry her.”
He stressed that her determination reflected the true spirit of journalism. “Her commitment was a reminder that journalism is not merely a job; it is a calling. It demands sacrifice. It demands conviction,” he said.
Mojeed added that the National Committee of IPI Nigeria will collaborate with UniAbuja to ensure that the prize inspires students each year to uphold the principles Salami lived by.
Salami’s death in 2024 drew tributes from across Nigeria’s media community. She was mourned by IPI Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists—where she once served as Secretary—her colleagues at VON, and friends in the profession.
She began her career at VON as a News Editor and Lagos correspondent, rising through the ranks to become the organisation’s Assistant Director in charge of Digital Media before her passing. Her colleagues remember her as a dedicated journalist, an innovative media professional and a mentor to many.
The endowment prize, once instituted, is expected to become a lasting symbol of her legacy and a source of motivation for aspiring journalists at the University of Abuja.
Crediblenewsng.com
