Veteran Journalist, Odunewu Buried Amidst Tributes

Jamiu Yisa

Late Veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, popularly known as Allah De, was on Friday afternoon, buried amidst glowing tributes from eminent Nigerians, Publishers, Journalists, friends and well wishers.

Alhaji Odunewu, an indigene of Ikorodu in Lagos State, died on Thursday at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, at the age of 85.

His corpse arrived at Vaults and Gardens Ikoyi, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, in a black R500 Benz Jeep at precisely 4:10pm.

His remains was prayed upon by the Chief Imam of Ansar-Ul-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdulrahman Ahmad and was buried according to Islamic rites at 5p.m in the Muslim section of the cemetary.

Imam Ahmad said,”We have heard a lot of good stories about him and this is a very big challenge to all of us on how we intend to live our lives and what we want people to say about us after our demise.”

Eulogising him, the former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, described him as a very good journalist who has contributed a great deal to the development of the journalism profession.

Former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba described him as a perfect gentleman and a good boss.

“He was a perfect gentleman. He practised a kind of professional journalism where a little bit of rascality was expected from the practitioners.

“He was a very good boss, amiable and very kind. Nowadays journalists should emulate his examples. They should learn to be dedicated and more committed,” he said.

Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka, said he was a fine man with or without the pen, adding that they will miss him.

President Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, described him as a giant of Nigeria journalism profession, a well respected columnist, an editor and a public servant.

“On behalf of NPAN, we mourn the passing of a giant of Nigeria journalism. He was a well respected columnist, an editor and a public servant.

“We salute his courage and urge Nigerians to learn from his lessons. A giant of journalism and public service has passed,” he said.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the death of the veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Idowu Odunewu at the age of 85, would create a big vacuum in journalism for many years to come.

The former Vice President recalled “his sense of humour gave his writing style a unique and inimitable quality and class.”

According to Atiku, journalists had a lot to learn from the extraordinary talent of the late Odunewu whose column became so popular like a hot cake because of its satirical and humorous style.

However, the former Vice President reminded Nigerians that the late Odunewu should not only be celebrated for his sense of humour, also because of his integrity.

“From the accounts of the man I have read and from what I have heard about him, I am convinced the late veteran journalist deserves all the accolades being to his memory. Rising to top positions in the Daily Times and the Nigerian Tribune in those days was a feat any journalist would have aspired to achieve,” the former Vice President added.