Hajia Ramatu Ali-Ohioma was one of the forebears among women journalists in late 1980s ,who did not only mentored me but also introduced me to political titans who were of help at one time or the other. She took me to Senator Ahmadu Ali at a time and nursed a father-son relationship right from my days in Kaduna. He introduced me to her husband, Chief Abdullahi Ohioma,a former Financial Controller of New Nigerian Newspapers and later a PDP chieftain. The bond between three us was mutually respectful,helpful and relational .In my difficult times Hajia and Chief Ohioma were helpful with regular visit to hospital where I once laid for months. In the business of writing,the three of us had synergy of ideas that mutually work for common good. After all, she was the only female member of the defunct New Nigerian Newspapers’ Editorial Board.On receiving news of her demise,l just went to my library to have conversation with her 307-page book , ISSUES & PEOPLE, a compendium of essays and opinions she published with spices of lucidity.
According to her husband who was emotion- laden while speaking to me, she woke up hale and hearty on Tuesday last week and by 6 PM in the evening ,the glorious trajectory her Maker bestowed on her,closed its chapter.
Ramatu, an indigene of Ojoku in Ankpa LGA,Kogi State,was a daughter of late Major Ali who died early. Ramatu and her siblings were raised by their uncle,late Brig-General Musa Usman, the first military Governor of the North Eastern State.She read English in A B U Zaria and International Law and Diplomacy in University of Jos.She resigned as Associate Editor of NNN in 2010 and joined Daily Trudt Newspapers as member of Editorial Board until she retired. There goes a frank woman who called spade,a Spade, urbane , humble and ethically -driven journalist as well as a home maker of unimpeachable character. I will ever cherish the confidence and trust you reposed in me. Rest in peace,dear sister.
