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Antoinette Isama
Nov. 20, 2018 10:59AM EST

Top Nigerian Media Maven Tosyn Bucknor Has Passed Away

The family of the radio presenter and media personality confirmed she succumbed to sickle cell complications.

Oluwatosin Bucknor, also known as Tosyn Bucknor, suddenly passed away, Vanguard reports. The Nigerian radio presenter, media personality and social media content creator was 37 years old.

Reports say her husband, Aurelien Boyer, found her in their home Monday night. Her sister, Funmi Bucknor, confirmed her death on Instagram. "My darling sister and besto Tosyn passed away last night due to complications from sickle cell," she says. Pulse Nigeria adds her death comes just after a year after the passing of her father, Segun Bucknor, a musician and journalist.

Bucknor earned a degree in law from the University of Lagos before diving into the media world. She got her start as an on-air-personality at Eko FM, while interning at Cool FM hosting the 'Fun Hour Show' on Saturdays. Bucknor then joined Top Radio FM after completing her NYSC in 2009—making her the only woman handling a morning show. Her 7-year stint at the station earned her the nickname 'Area Mama.' Bucknor also won and was nominated for several awards during the course of her career, including the Future Awards, ELOY Awards and Best of Nollywood, PUNCH Nigeria reports.

Before her untimely passing, she was a morning talk show host at Inspiration FM and was a vlogger.

Living with sickle cell anemia drove her to establish These Genes in 2007—a project to normalize sickle cell and help fellow Nigerians tackle the emotional and mental aspect of living with sickle cell.

Nigerians who consume and create media are in shock and in mourning because of the impact Bucknor had on the industry. Here are their reactions below.












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