Former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms (PRTT), AbdulRasheed Maina, has eulogized late Sports Analyst, Olajide Fasikun.
In a tribute made available to The Dream Daily in Abuja, Maina, whose whereabouts is unknown and who is in fact wanted by anti-graft agencies after he was controversially reinstated and promoted in the Civil Service by the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration when he had been dismissed from service, wrote: “In the midst of my grief, I faced the daunting task of crafting a eulogy for an extraordinary person.
“Many times we wait until a friend has died to tell the world what a wonderful person they were, and I’m just as guilty as the next person about that. Today, I would like to pay tribute to a very dear friend and associate and pray that God will allow me to be present as he is presented with his crown of glory. His name is Olajide Fashikun. Over the years, he taught me that one could forget the past pretty early if they gave it time. His sudden death came with so many lessons and memories.
“I met Jide during my days as Chairman Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms (PRTT) years ago. He was with the team right from the beginning and knew all the internal workings of the team as a reporter and journalist. When the team was disbanded and hell went loose, Jide stood by me through thick and thin because he knew how much we have put in to sanitize the pension sector for the benefit of our dear country.
“There is no lesser word to describe Jide than a magnet of brilliance and intellectually sound ideas. He was there whenever I needed him, and whenever the need arises to come to my defense, Jide was always there to do the needful without recourse to my approval. When I was persecuted, hunted, threatened and my integrity thrown to the mud, Jide was among the few individuals that didn’t leave me, he was there to give me support and even stood in for me where I cannot personally make presence.
“Jide authored the ‘Pensioner Magazine’ which highlighted the activities of the Pension reform task team and currently working on the second edition before he dropped his pen to the cold hands of death early Sunday the 27th January 2019, at the National hospital Abuja.
“I got the sad news of Jide’s passing Sunday morning. I lost a great associate and a dogged fighter. Jide will always remain fresh in my memory.
“May his soul rest in peace, and may the Almighty God comfort his aged mother and family.
“Adieu Jide.”
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