The Chief Imam of Lokoja Central Mosque, Sheikh Mohammed Amin Shaban, has provided a spiritual insight into the demise of the late senior journalist, Hajia Ramatu Ali-Ohioma, who died while observing her Magrib prayers. In the opinion of the revered Imam, she has secured a place for herself in paradise.

The Chief Imam, Sheikh Mohammed Amin-Shaban, made the remarks during the 8th-day (Fidau) prayers held at the family residence at No. 2 Pacific Road, Lokongoma Phase 1, Lokoja, Kogi State.

Sheikh Amin-Shaban, who led the prayer session after the Qura’anic recitation, said, “the recitation of the Qura’an in such prayer was a direct prayer for the repose of the soul of the deceased who died while praying.”

Ramatu, a former member of the Editorial Board of New Nigerian Newspapers and Daily Trust, respectively, woke up hale and hearty on Tuesday, penultimate week and could not raise herself from the ground where she was praying in her room. She was confirmed dead in a hospital in Abuja.

“May Allah take the reward to her, her bereaved husband, Chief Abdullahi Ohiomah and the immediate family. The family lived a happy life, which is free entrance to paradise,” he added.

He also prayed that all other departed souls within the last month rest peacefully in Alhanat.

In his remarks, the chief mourner and husband of the deceased, Chief Abdullahi Ohiomah, said he refused to mourn his late wife because “I know she died as a Muslim and she is resting in heaven. My prayer for her is for Allah to reward her according to her good deeds while on earth.”

Late Ramatu Alih Ohiomah was a former member of the editorial board of Daily Trust newspaper. She rose through the ranks to be Associate Editor of New Nigerian Newspapers after being a correspondent in Jos, Plateau State.

Hitherto, in the 1980s, she worked at Benue State House of Assembly until she resigned to join New Nigerian Newspapers in 1983. Later in the year 2010, she resigned from the paper and joined Daily Trust Newspapers as a member of Editorial Board. Subsequently, she retired from active journalism and set up a Biographical centre

Late Ramatu, a daughter of a late senior military officer, was raised after the demise of her father by the late first military Governor of the defunct North Eastern State, Brigadier-General Musa Usman, who was her uncle. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from A B U, Zaria and a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos.

A few years ago, she published collections of articles derived from her columns in NNN and Daily Trust titled ISSUES & PEOPLE.