ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has announced plans to immortalise its late Treasurer, Rafat Idris Salami, by establishing an endowment prize at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), her alma mater.
The organisation said the initiative is designed to instil in journalism students the professional values Salami embodied throughout her career, according to a statement made available on Friday.
IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, disclosed the decision during the opening session of the 2025 IPI Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting held on December 2 in Abuja.
Salami, who was the Assistant Director of Digital Media at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), died on December 20, 2024, shortly after she actively participated in IPI Nigeria’s inaugural conference despite battling a severe illness.
In his welcome address, Mojeed paid glowing tribute to the late media professional and requested a one-minute silence from members and special guests, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
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“Last year, even in severe pain and confined to a wheelchair, she insisted on attending the conference,” Mojeed said.
“She greeted guests, coordinated 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 and conviction.”
He added that the National Committee of IPI Nigeria would partner with UniAbuja to ensure the proposed prize inspires emerging journalists with the values Salami stood for2 integrity, courage and selfless service.
Following her passing in 2024, Salami received tributes from the IPI, the FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Voice of Nigeria, and colleagues across the media industry.
She began her career at VON as a News Editor and Lagos correspondent, steadily rising through the newsroom ranks before being appointed Assistant Director of Digital Media.