The media fraternity has lost one of its own.
Broadcaster Veoma Ali, 39, passed away yesterday, losing her battle with a lengthy illness.
Ali spent her formative years in journalism as a broadcaster with the Starcom Network, before taking her talents to Capital Media. She was also a former columnist of the WEEKEND NATION.
Founder of Capital Media, Vic Fernandes, had nothing but praise for his former employee.
“It is with great sadness and of heavy heart that I announce the passing of my friend, my colleague, my great broadcaster extraordinaire Veoma Alicia Ali,” Fernandes said, while revealing she had died after being treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for some time.
He said Ali was being seen by a haematologist and rheumatologist but had quietly soldiered on while in pain for most of the last year.
“This young lady was perhaps for me the greatest find of my career. She could write, sing, she played instruments. She just excelled at everything she did. She was loved by everyone who came into contact with her beautiful spirit,” Fernandes said.
He expressed condolences to her “grieving relatives, her mum, dad, brother, nieces, nephews and cousins”.
“This extraordinary human being who came into our lives and made Barbados her home, lived but a short life, but touched so many people and demonstrated that excellence was her hallmark in life. She will always have a special place in our hearts,” added Fernandes.
Station manager of Starcom, David Ellis, remembered her fondly.
“I consider that Veoma is a loss to a profession that cries out for more people like her,” the veteran journalist said. “When she came into broadcasting very young and as a woman eager to learn, she came with a background in law but had more of a passion for the media.”
Ellis said Ali started in Starcom’s advertising department but could not get rid of her interest in broadcasting.
“Everything she sought to do, she did with a commitment to excellence. After leaving Starcom I don’t think she ever lost her enthusiasm for broadcasting, as she went on to work for Capital Media.
“Veoma demonstrated strong commitment to broadcasting even though she was a columnist. Those of us who worked with her will miss both a friend and an outstanding media practitioner,” Ellis concluded.
Also paying tribute was the Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM).
President Emmanuel Joseph said: “Ali will be sorely missed for her broadcasting acumen, and professional and articulate application in this medium.
“On behalf of the board of directors of BARJAM and, by extension, the wider media fraternity, we express condolences to Ali’s family, close friends and well-wishers, and pray for comfort in your time of bereavement,” Joseph added. (BA)
