It was a sad day for members of the National Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Plateau State Chapter who gathered to pay their last respect to a member and Treasurer of the Association, Late Mrs. Eunice Zong Pwanagba Agabus.
She was until her demise on March 16, 2023, after a prolonged illness, a staff of the Plateau Radio Television Corporation.
The female journalists were led by their National Officer and NAWOJ National Vice President Zone D, Jamila Abubakar, state officials, and members who came out in their numbers clad in their associations uniform to pay their last respect and mourn the departure of one of them.
They eulogised her, describing her as a dedicated and hardworking personality who has contributed immensely to the growth of journalism in Plateau State.
Her Corpse was taken from Bingham Teaching Hospital (Jankwano) Jos, on Thursday, 23 March 2023, for a funeral Mass which was held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church Gold and Base, Rayfield.
Taking the homily from Matthew 5: 1-12, and James 4:14, Parish Priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church Gold and Base, Rev. Fr. Joseph Agbazi said life is like a mist and death is the end of life which must certainly come.
He urged the congregation to live life well by living a worthy life so that no matter how short we live, we will leave great legacies behind.
“Every day of our lives, death comes to us, death is inevitable. We are like water poured out on the ground which cannot be collected back again. Death will come when it will come, so let us prepare for death and not spend our time chasing wealth, and things that are vanity, and temporarily here on earth “, he said.
He tasked Christians to work for a just society and country, Nigeria, and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the Late Eunice, whom he said has lived a blessed life.
The General Manager of PRTVC, Mr. Jefta Jacken represented by the Director of News, Mr Yakubu Taddy in his speech described the Late Eunice as a humble, peaceful staff of the organisation who loved her job and performed her duties well.
Barr. Enodo, who spoke on behalf of the family said the loss of Eunice and the vacuum created in their lives will not be easy to fill.
He described her as a good mother, friend and in-law who was very receptive to those who came into their home and asked for prayers for the Lord to take care of the 3 children she left behind.
The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Agbazi also on behalf of the Church Council and the priests condoled the family over the loss of Eunice, urging them to trust God, and in the hope that her soul is resting peacefully with the Lord in heaven.
Earlier, a Wake Keep was held in her honor on Wednesday 22nd at the family residence, which was attended by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), family, friends, neighbours, and well-wishers.
Chairman of NUJ, Plateau State Chapter, Mr. Paul Jatau in a tribute said: “What can we say? The Lord gives and He takes, blessed be his name. Eunice was a good person, dedicated to her duties and activities of NUJ. We will miss her, but we pray that the Lord will give her husband, children, and other family members the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and the strength to carry on. Good night, Eunice,till we meet on resurrection morning”.
Plateau NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs Nene Dung also in a tribute to her late member said: “My dear Eunice, words actually fail us as an association. You had told us you were getting better and we looked forward to achieving great things with you for Plateau NAWOJ. But we can’t question God, we pray that your soul finds rest with our Lord and the children you left behind, He alone will nourish them to maturity. Adieu our great Treasurer. Till we meet at Jesus feet”.
Until her demise, the Late Eunice who died at the age of 43 was passionate about education and this saw her being a graduate of Political Science from the University of Abuja. She was also a holder of two Masters Degrees, in Law and Diplomacy, and International Relations from the University of Jos, aside obtaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the National Teachers Institute in Kaduna, which was all in her quest to impart knowledge to others by being a university lecturer.
She is survived by her husband, Mr. Pwanangba Agabus, who is also a journalist and correspondent of the Daily Post, 3 children and many relations.
After the funeral Mass, the final interment and burial rites were held at the family land, JIB Industrial Area, Jos.
