Shock as Hallmark Business publisher Emeka Obasi dies

Prince Emeka Obasi, publisher of Hallmark Business newspaper is dead, his family has announced. He was 58.

His son, Emeka Obasi Jr announced the death in a Facebook post Wednesday, triggering shock all over.

“The family of Prince Emeka Obasi announces the passing unto glory of Prince Emeka Obasi, Ezenwata, Ibeku Kingdom.

“Prince Emeka, the Publisher of Hallmark Newspapers passed on, Tuesday March 15, 2022 at a Lagos hospital.

“He is survived by wife, Dr (Mrs) Betty Obasi and Children – Emeka (jnr), Onyedikachi, Kamsi, Miracle, siblings aunties and uncles.

“Further burial arrangements will be announced in due course”, Emeka Obasi Jr. wrote.

“The news of his death hit me with violence”, remarked Paul Dada of TheseTimes who worked with Emeka Obasi at Hallmark.

“Mr. Obasi was far from perfect and he gave me many reasons to be annoyed. But I can’t deny he was a very brilliant and versatile journalist and media owner. No wonder he paraded the best of eggheads in Nigerian journalism in his top management”, Paul Dada wrote.

Ayo Ojeniyi commented: “Oh my God, Prince Emeka Obasi died @58!!! Oh no !!! He was one of my regular fb friends.

“Very friendly and would never used abusive words. He was a columnist. He was a former Commissioner in Abia State. He called me regularly to correct or explain something to me. Rest in perfect peace!!!”.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State also expressed shock and sadness over news of the passing of Obasi.

In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor said Prince Emeka Obasi was a thorough-bred media practitioner who devoted his time, energy, intellect and resources for the advancement of the media profession in Nigeria.

The Governor recalled that early in life Prince Obasi took to journalism practice and was to found Hallmark group of newspapers and later the National Mirror newspaper when he rested the Hallmark.

He said Prince Obasi’s love for the media continued and drove him to repackage the old Hallmark as Business Hallmark after he sold the National Mirror.

The Governor said apart from Prince Obasi’s media engagements, he was also involved in other activities that helped to shape the image of the Nigerian society.

For instance, Prince Obasi founded the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), as a vehicle to confer the Zik’s Prize for Leadership recognition on deserving Nigerians.

Governor Uzodimma regretted that Prince Obasi, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State during the return to civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999 died when his services were needed most, both in his media constituency and the society at large.

He commiserated with the widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Obasi, the children, friends, associates and well wishers over the passing of their loved one and encouraged them to find solace in the fact that Prince Obasi led a fulfilled life in God and contributed his quota for the good of mankind when he was alive.

Governor Uzodimma also prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased a peaceful repose and to the people he left to mourn him, the fortitude to bear the loss.