Jonathan, APC, Kalu mourn late Dimgba Igwe

Eromosele Ebhomele

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the country’s opposition All Progressives Party, APC, on Saturday expressed shock over the death of the nation’s frontline journalist, Dimgba Igwe.

Mr. Igwe died at 58 early Saturday after he was hit by a vehicle as he embarked on a jogging exercise around his Okota, Lagos residence.

He was rushed to a private hospital and a surgery was performed on him. He however died few minutes after the surgery.

President Jonathan, while expressing sadness over the death of Igwe, who was until his death the Vice Chairman of The Sun Newspapers, also “extends 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 APC also condoled with the management and staff of the media organisation over the incident describing it as very tragic.

The party said with his death, “Nigerian journalism has lost a shining star.”

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also 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.