AMINA BRAI OMOIKE
It was an atmosphere of sadness and mourning as veteran photojournalist and photo editor of the Guardian newspaper, Femi Musbaudeen Adebesin-Kuti was laid to rest on Friday at his residence in Abbati Odo Eja, Ogun state according to Islamic rites.
The funeral was well attended by families, friends, colleagues from the Guardian Newspaper as well as other media houses.
The Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria announced his death on Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State after a brief illness.
In a statement signed by the guild chairman, Abiodun Ajala, the deceased Photojournalist was aged 57 years and was Photo Editor at the Guardian Newspaper, a position he held for many years. He also had a stint with the 234 NEXT Newspaper.
At every assignment he covered, his distinctness and dedication to duty were unmatched
Fondly called ‘Esin Funfun’ (White Horse), the late Adebesin-Kuti was warm, charismatic and a lover of sports.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) also mourned him in a statement by the Lagos chairman, Adeleye Ajayi. The union condoled the family of the deceased and the Photojournalist Association of Nigeria.
The statement read, “We received the sad news of the passing of our dear brother, Femi Adebesin-Kuti, Photo Editor of the Guardian Newspapers which occurred in the early hours of today with great shock.
“We pray that God in his infinite mercy will uphold and stand by his immediate family and friends at this trying time as we sympathise with members of the Guardian Newspapers Chapel and the entire PJAN family”.
According to his employers, The Guardian newspapers, Kuti was an amiable journalist who nurtured and handled his craft with utmost diligence and professionalism.
“At every assignment he covered, his distinctness and dedication to duty were unmatched as he would always go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure every moment that needed to be captured never missed his lenses”, the statement said.
During his lifetime, he was a fan of Arsenal Football Club. He witnessed and covered the World Cups in South Africa and Russia respectively.
Tributes have continued to pour in from various quartets especially from the media and sports circles – a space he played very well in.
He is survived by wives, children and siblings.
