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22 Jun 2022 | |
News |
It is with deepest sadness that we announce the terrible news that veteran journalist and civil society activist Hajia Raheemat Omoro Momodu (MA13) recently passed away. Our heartfelt condolences go to her friends and family. Raheemat is survived by her son, Zafir and sister Lafifat, among other relations.
Raheemat graduated from IDS with her MA in Gender and Development in 2000 and went on to work on many projects with amplified her deep commitment to issues of women and children.
Recently our MA had reconnected in a WhatsApp group, and we are all particularly thankful for this now because it has reminded us how fleeting life really is and how valuable it can be to connect with old school friends. Even during our MA, Raheemat had this powerful presence – she was an incredible woman! And when we all came back together recently, she was exactly the same – she will be missed dearly. We are sending much love and our sincere condolences to her son, Zafir, and her sister, Lafifat. May she rest peacefully.
MA GAD 13
"Raheemat was very much the heart of her MA cohort. This was a group of brilliant and inspiring people, all of whom gravitated towards Raheemat - because of her charisma, her charm, her fierce intelligence and her fabulous humour. I stayed in touch with her over the years and am greatly saddened to learn of her untimely passing"
Professor Elizabeth Harrison: Head of School (Global Studies), Course Convenor for MA Gender and Development during Raheemat's studies.
Raheemat was the former leader of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), a passionate believer in the Nigeria Project, and until her passing, was the Principal Programme Officer, Human Security and Civil Society Organizations in the Department of Gender and Social Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission. She was also a founding member of JADESeminars Initiative and Secretary of its Board of Trustees.
She was buried according to Islamic rites at the Gwarimpa Muslim Cemetery opposite old War College Quarters Gate, Abuja. Her body left the Wuse (Zone4) District Hospital for the National Mosque, Abuja for prayers before the Gwarimpa Muslim Cemetery where she was buried. Her death was felt through the media and other Civil Service Communities where she played prominent roles and they thronged the Abuja National Mosque and Gwarimpa Cemetry for her burial.
A former Assistant Political Editor with the defunct Concord Newspapers, Raheemat was at various times the Chairperson of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter; Project Officer/Gender Equity Programme, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Nigeria; National Programme Officer, Gender and Coordinator Youth Development Programme at the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA); Programme Manager, Good Governance and Human Rights and Gender Focal Person, EU Delegation to Nigeria. She was also the President of the International Visitor Leadership Programme of the US Department of State.
Among those who have paid tribute was the JADESeminars who commiserated with the Momodu family of Agbede, Edo State over the passing of their daughter, Hajia Raheemat Omoro Momodu. In a statement signed by Tony Akiotu, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Ibim Semenitari, Angela Agoawike, and Chinwe Worukwo, Programme Officer, the JADESeminars described her as a passionate believer in the Nigeria Project, with a deep commitment to issues of women and children.This passion and commitment drove her activities throughout her life and were exemplified in the roles she played and the responsibilities that she took on.
May the Almighty grant her Alijanah Firdaus.
May she rest in peace.
Please feel free to share your own memories using the comments below or you can email us at alumni@ids.ac.uk to be included in this article.
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