It is with great sadness in our hearts that we announce the passing of Sylvester Awenlimobor, a freelance journalist who has worked with YNaija.com over the past year – and has done so with passion, integrity and uncommon competence.
Sly, as he was fondly called, was on his way to tell yet another groundbreaking story; a special investigation, supported by the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), on the epidemic of sexual offences reported across the media, for our Long Read section. The investigation was to span five south-western states.
He was on his way to Ekiti when he was involved in a ghastly accident in Osogbo, the Osun capital. It left him gravely injured and hospitalized.
We contacted the Ekiti government which immediately got an ambulance on standby to bring him to Lagos. His family and close friends ended up bringing him to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital on Thursday, 30 January after he had been taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan. There, his friends, family and the YNaija.com team have kept vigil as we prayed for his recovery and discharge from the intensive care unit.
Unfortunately, on Tuesday January 4, at about 9pm, we lost Sly.
We considered him one of us even though he wasn’t a member of staff, and we will miss him terribly. As will our readers. We will especially miss his signature work with – the excellent, boots-on-the-ground coverage of the Anambra, Edo and other elections; with updates across social media, a live blog and feature stories, as well as multimedia content. He helped us set a new standard for engaging a new generation.
Sylvester Awenlimobor leaves behind his parents, siblings, a young wife, and his unborn child. We cannot even begin to comprehend the agony and trauma of this huge loss.
We however find some comfort in the words his mother, a minister of the gospel, and a deeply inspiring woman said to us yesterday. She asked us not to grieve, but to rejoice in the Lord for the gift he gave in her son. To remember only his commitment, his passion and the smile he brought to all that he met.
God keep you, Sly. God keep yours here on earth.
I just got the news now!!! Sly and I grew up in Idimu. Knew him when he was in secondary school, St. Francis Catholic secondary school, Idimu. So full of life and hilarious to the bone. God!!! May his Soul rest in perfect peace… And may God protect us all in Jesus’ name, Amen
I just got the news now!!! Sly and I grew up in Idimu. Knew him when he was in secondary school, St. Francis Catholic secondary school, Idimu. So full of life and hilarious to the bone. God!!! May his Soul rest in perfect peace… And may God protect us all in Jesus’ name, Amen
I just got the news now!!! Sly and I grew up in Idimu. Knew him when he was in secondary school, St. Francis Catholic secondary school, Idimu. So full of life and hilarious to the bone. God!!! May his Soul rest in perfect peace… And may God protect us all in Jesus’ name, Amen
Sleep on till we meet to no more to part.
Amen.
RIP bro
You are right about the date, i believe it was a mistake as we all are grieving
lovely piece, he will greatly be remembered.
Your big heart has inspired me forever.. you were a wonderful friend.. God bless you sly.
Rest in peace my Brother and Friend. You will sorely be missed….
I will never forget u
Sylvester was a great man, a wonderful writer and poet, and a fun person to be around. He passed away on Tuesday 4th of February 2014. We can only continue to honour Sly by doing the things which he stood for: Covering news firsthand, in honesty and fairness, being generous to the point of personal discomfort, and making people happy.
Okay, I think there's a slight error somewhere… He passed on January 4th instead of February 4th…
I didn't really know him but he sure speaks much from his looks. Sad that I have lost the chance… His works remain to engage with. May his soul rest in peace. My sympathies to everyone of his.