22nd August, 2014
An Islamic Cleric, Imam Roqeeb Adekunle, on Friday enjoined journalists to be guided by the ethics of their profession, as a way of demonstrating acceptable conduct to the populace.
Adekunle gave the admonition while delivering a sermon entitled, “Remembrance of the dead – Islamic Perspective” at the one-year Fidau prayer for late Kafayat Odunsi, held at the Lagos State House of Assembly Mosque in Alausa, Ikeja.
Odunsi, until her death, was a staff of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Tejuosho, Lagos. She was among three members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who died in a motor accident on 2 August, 2013 on Ibadan-Ilesa Expressway while on an official assignment.
Adekunle said that journalists were saddled with the responsibility of mirroring the society, adding that efforts should be geared toward objective and balanced reporting.
“Conduct investigation while doing your work; don’t malign somebody’s name all in the interest of getting money.
“Prophet Muhammad has warned us against belittling others as its consequence is a great sin,” the cleric said.
Adekunle said that the legacy left behind by the deceased had shown that God would grant her eternal rest.
“If her legacy had been bad, you will not be here to pray for her. I believe she lives in comfort in the sight of Allah,” he said.
The cleric urged her colleagues to always be good to one another, saying that nobody knows when death would come.
“Death may strike at any time; whatever you do, you will be rewarded,” he said.
In his remark, Mr Ganiyu Abiru, Clerk of the House, commended members of the association for deeming it fit to remember one of them.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the prayer was organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly Correspondents Association, which she served as the treasurer before her demise.