IPI Nigeria to Immortalise Late Treasurer Salami

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has announced plans to endow a prize at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) in honour of its late Treasurer, Rafat Idris Salami.

Salami, also a former Assistant Director of Digital Media at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), died on December 20, 2024, few days after the first annual conference and AGM of IPI Nigeria.

In a statement on Friday, the institute said the prize to be endowed aims to inspire students of the institution with values the late Treasurer exemplified during her lifetime.

Confirming the decision during the opening ceremony of the 2025 IPI Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting on December 2, 2025, the President of the body, Musikilu Mojeed, recalled how the late Salami made it a point to grace last year’s conference even when she was critically ill.

In his welcome address at the event, Mojeed requested members and guests, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to observe one-minute silence in honour of the late journalist.

He said: “Last year, even in severe pain and confined to a wheelchair, she insisted on attending the conference.

“She greeted guests, co-ordinated logistics, took photographs with her phone and served with grace until her body could no longer carry her.

“Her commitment was a reminder that Journalism is not merely a job; it is a calling. It demands sacrifice; It demands conviction.

“To honour her legacy, the National Committee of IPI Nigeria will endow a prize in her name at the University of Abuja, which was her alma-mater.

“We will work with the University to ensure that every year, young Journalists are inspired by the values Rafat lived by— integrity, courage, and selfless service.”

The late Salami, who began her career with VON as a News Editor and correspondent in Lagos, rose through the ranks to become VON’s Assistant Director in charge of Digital Media before her demise.

She had also served as Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

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