More Nigerians have continued to mourn the death of the nation’s frontline journalist, Dimgba Igwe. He died at 58 early Saturday after he was hit by a vehicle as he was jogging around his Okota, Lagos residence, western Nigeria.
Igwe was rushed to a private hospital and a surgery was performed on him. He, however, died a few minutes after the surgery.
President Goodluck Jonathan, while expressing sadness over the death of Igwe, who was until his death the Vice Chairman of The Sun Newspapers, also extended his “heartfelt commiserations to the publishers of The Sun Newspapers, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and all friends and associates of Mr. Igwe, for whom his unexpected death must be exceedingly painful.
“President Jonathan believes that the late Mr. Igwe will always be remembered as a hardworking and dependable professional, who, through his various writings as columnist, author and public speaker, demonstrated a special ability to convey the truth and his convictions in lucid, compelling prose, and in a style that was shorn of cant and foppery.
“As they mourn him, the President enjoins Mr. Igwe’s family, friends and associates to be consoled by the knowledge that he put his God-given abilities to the best possible use in a very purposeful life that was wholly devoted to the defence of truth and the public interest, as well as the promotion of the highest standards of his chosen profession of journalism.
“President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of the very forthright journalist and media administrator, and also grant his soul, peaceful repose,” a statement by Reuben Abati, the president’s spokesman, said.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, also condoled with the management and staff of the media organisation over the incident it described as very tragic.
The party said with his death, “Nigerian journalism has lost a shining star.”
In a statement issued in Lagosby APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party condoled with the family and friends of the late Pastor Igwe, and prayed that God would give them the strength to bear their loss.
It expressed shock and sadness at the sudden death of such “a vibrant, cerebral and wonderful person, who has been a constant star in the constellation of Nigerian journalism for decades, without compromising his personal and professional integrity.”
APC called on the police to find and bring to justice the driver of the vehicle that knocked down Pastor Igwe while he was jogging around his residence.
“Words are not enough to describe the huge loss, to his family, friends, profession and indeed our entire nation, that Igwe’s death represents.
“But we are sure the achievements he recorded in his lifetime will forever be a source of pride – and indeed a soothing balm – to all.
“May the good Lord grant repose to his soul and comfort those he left behind,” the party prayed.
Former governor of Abia State and chairman of The Sun Newspapers, Orji Uzor Kalu, said Igwe’s death was the darkest moments ever recorded in the organisation.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, also joined other Nigerians to commiserate with the family of Igwe.
Amosun expressed deep shock at the news of the demise of the frontline journalist.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the Governor on Media, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama, the governor said he is saddened by the news of the sudden death of the veteran journalist, describing it as a big loss to journalism in particular and the media industry in general.
According to the statement, “Dimgba Igwe was a cerebral and fearless journalist, prolific writer and renowned media administrator, who was well respected in his profession. I recall the last time I saw him and Mike Awoyinfa, when they came to interview me. I feel so sad that such a thoroughbred journalist, who still had so much to give to the journalism profession and indeed the development of our country died in his prime,” Amosun said.
The governor commiserated with the family of the deceased, management and staff of The Sun Publishing Company Limited, and the media industry in Nigeria on the demise of the journalist.
He prayed to the almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi expressed shock and regret over Igwe’s death.
In a mail to the management of The Sun Newspapers, Governor Amaechi described the late Igwe as one of the leading lights of Nigerian journalism.
He said Igwe was “ passionate and painstaking. One of Nigeria’s brightest and best.”
He called on the police authorities to do their utmost to bring the killer of Pastor Igwe to book.
He expressed the sympathy of the government and people of Rivers state over the great loss and assured the Igwe’s family and friends of the prayers and support of Rivers people.
Lagos State governorship aspirant, Mr Akinwumi Ambode also commiserated with The Sun Newspapers on the sudden death of Igwe, which he described as an irreparable loss to Nigeria journalism and the Nigerian people.
In a statement signed by Idowu Ajanaku, his Special Adviser on Communication, the former account General of Lagos said: “We can only be consoled by the fact that Mr. Igwe lived his life by deploying his God-given talents and gifts for the benefit of the Nigerian masses and indeed mankind by his writings and diligence in the management of one of the foremost Nigerian newspapers.”
Ambode prayed for the management, members of staff of the Sun newspaper and the family of the deceased that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
He said that the transient nature of life is brought again to the fore and counselled that men ought to live their lives in the consciousness of this fact such that they always think of how to leave this world better than they met it.
Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN) also said it “mourns the passing of a great journalist and one of the finest journalists in the country.
“There is no argument that our country and Ndigbo nation will have to grapple with the challenge of an irreplaceable vacuum that no other person can fill in, except the departed.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to his family and fans all over the wall, while we pray to God to console the family and fans and give them the fortitude to bear the loss,” said Chief Udo Udeogaranya, President of the group.
