The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Hajiya Bilkisu, a Fellow of the Guild who died last Thursday in Amina, Saudi Arabia, during a stampeded at tge a Holy land.
we write to express our deep sense of loss and sadness over the death of a trailblazing, quintessential, and indefatigable Nigerian Journalist, Hajiya Bilkisu, (FNGE), who died during a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, September 24, 2015.
In a statement by Victoria Ibanga, General Secretary, the Guild said it was “saddened by her untimely passing and sincerely conveydeep sympathiesin this difficult time to members of her family who painfully bear the brunt of her sudden exit.
“Hajiya Bilkisu was an invaluable and respected fellow of our prestigious association ( FNGE), who broke the glass ceiling to edit two National newspapers and a magazine namely, The Triumph in Kano, The New Nigerian, and Citizen (both in Kaduna). Besides being the first female Editor from Northern Nigeria, she scored many other firsts in the course of her sojourn here on earth. She was the founding member of Women in Nigeria (WIN), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association (FOMWAN), a columnist for Daily Trust and Leadership newspapers, and the Executive Director of Advocacy Nigeria, a movement for the reduction of maternal and child mortality.
“In a journalism carrier, which spanned over three decades, Hajiya Bilkisu, had carved a niche for herself, contributing immensely to the growth of the Guild and development of the media industry in Nigeria, Africa and the whole world. This feat had made her a great citizen of the world.
“She was a veteran journalist, columnist, journalism ombudsman, civil society activist, and above all, a religious leader who through her work touched many lives, united families, states and the nation in general. Hajiya as she was fondly called was also a brilliant voice for the voiceless Nigerian Girl Child.
“We also convey our heartfelt sympathies to the families of other victims of the tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.
“We hope the organizers of the pilgrimage will take precautionary measures to avoid future occurrences.”