Tributes as Ogun bids farewell to ex-SWAN Boss Akintunde
It was a sombre day in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, as the remains of Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde, former Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State
It was a sombre day in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, as the remains of Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde, former Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State Chapter, were committed to mother earth.
Akintunde, a veteran media professional and former Director of Programmes at Ogun State Television (OGTV), passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) following a brave three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57.
The burial, conducted according to Islamic rites, took place on Thursday at the Sunnat Muslim Maqbara in Olomore, Abeokuta. Earlier, a Janazah prayer was held at the Secretariat Muslim Community Mosque, attended by a sea of grieving colleagues, friends, and high-profile dignitaries.
The funeral drew notable figures from across the political and media landscape, including: Senator Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central):Dr. Kunle Salako (Minister of State for Health),Hon. Afolabi Afuape (Member, House of Reps),Hon. Wasiu Isiaka (Ogun State Sports Commissioner); Hon. Adekunle Akinlade (Triple A); Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi (NFF Board Member ) and horses of media personalities.
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Governor Dapo Abiodun led the tributes, describing Akintunde as a "gem" whose commitment to duty remained unshaken even while battling severe health challenges.
"He was a manager of managers, a mentor to many, and a shining light in journalism," Abiodun remarked.
Senator Salisu echoed these sentiments, labeling Akintunde a "standard-bearer" for the profession. "Ogun State has lost a voice, and sport reporting has lost one of its finest interpreters," he said.
From the banking sector, former CBN Deputy Governor Dr. Tunde Lemo took to social media to mourn the "veteran whose professionalism defined an era."
Meanwhile, the current Ogun SWAN Chairman, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, lauded his predecessor as an "exemplary leader" whose integrity and humility shaped the careers of countless young journalists.
