FORMER PUNCH EDITOR LOSES WIFE

Late Mrs Ibitola left with Governor Mimiko at an event

Foremost promoter of indigenous language music and film in Nigeria, Mrs Abiodun Ibitola of Remdel Optimum Communication, has passed on. She died early yesterday.

Confirming the sad incidence, her husband, Mr Remi Ibitola, a former editor of Sunday Punch, said that she died after a brief illness.

Described as an Amazon of the Yoruba film industry in Nigeria, Mrs Ibitola is the founder of Remdel Art and Film Institute. She also founded one of Nigeria’s indigenous film festivals, Festival of Indigenous African Films (FIAF)

The festival, among others, also seeks to preserve certain African ordinances, norms and values, as well as facilitating the linkage of African kinsmen in Diaspora to their roots.

A statement from the Management of Remdel Optimum Communications described Ibitola as a seasoned broadcaster, music and film producer.

“She was Press Secretary to the wife of former Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Angela Adebayo, between 1999 and 2003. Under her leadership, Remdel Optimum Communications promoted musical and video works of artistes such as Evangelist Bisi Alawiye, Evangelist ‘Dunni Olanrewaju (Opelope Anointing), Tope Alabi, and Daniel Aregbesola. She also led REMDEL into film production with successful titles as Afonja, Owo-Eje, Ofinga, among others,” the statement reads.

Madam Remdel as she is popularly was credited to have discovered the likes of popular Yoruba gospel singer, Tope Alabi, who is also known for most Yoruba movies soundtrack.

Her last movie, Ofinga, a family centered flick starring Akin Lewis, bukky Wright among others is yet to be released in the cinemas because of the format of production.

Until her death, Biodun was the Managing Director of Remdel TV broadcasting on Channel171 on Startimes. She was also a Pastor with Covenant of Peace Family Fellowship.