By Teddy Nwanunobi
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, condoled with the government of Kogi State over Sunday’s death of the former Managing Director of the Daily Times, Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba.
This is even as the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described Onukaba’s untimely death as a great loss to journalism profession.
National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, in a letter to the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, conveying the condolences of the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) over Onukaba’s death, said the Party’s NWC received the news of the tragic death of Onukaba with grief.
The APC National Chairman called for improved policing of the nation’s highways to rid the roads of security incidents that have led to avoidable human casualties and loss of property.
“On behalf of myself and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), let me convey our deep sadness and sympathies to the immediate family, people and government of Kogi State over the unfortunate and tragic death of one of our own, veteran journalist and frontline member of the APC, Dr. Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba.
“The death of Onukaba who was a governorship aspirant in the APC’s last Kogi Primary election has left us with a great void and deep feeling of grief.
“The late Onukaba was a versatile, brilliant and celebrated member of the media intelligentsia, literary community and academia who made indelible marks in the various fields – locally and internationally.
“Nigeria and indeed the international community has lost an illustrious son.
“In the course of the late Onukaba professional, national and international service, he brought great honour and pride to Nigeria. I recall, with pride, the late Onukaba years of meritorious and unblemished record of service in the media profession. His articles, biographies and other literary works remain a collector’s item and reference point.
“The circumstances that led to Onikaba’s death is a painful reminder of the need for improved policing of the nation’s highways to rid the roads of security incidents that have led to avoidable human casualties and loss of property.
“Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed. Please accept my sincere condolences. May the Almighty God give the late Onukaba eternal rest and the family, particularly his three children the strength to bear the great pain,” the letter read.
Meanwhile, the Lagos NUJ Chairman, Deji Elumoye, in a tribute, said Onukaba’s experience as a quintessential journalist will be missed.
Elumoye added that Onukaba’s death, through motor accident, was regrettable.
While praying to God to grant Onukaba’s immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, Elumoye recalled that Onukaba’s days as a seasoned journalist, who was very active as a member of The Guardian Chapel of the Lagos NUJ some years back.
“He also tried all his possible best to ensure that welfare of journalists and other workers was a priority while he held sway as Daily Times MD few years back.
“Onukaba, who made his name as a versatile aviation correspondent for The Guardian Newspapers, rose through the ranks, and got to the pinnacle of his professional calling before venturing into politics, where he also made his mark, especially in his home state, Kogi State, where he tried twice, in the past, to be the governor of the State,” he recalled.
Elumoye further said the death of the veteran journalist, through motor accident, shows the deplorable condition of the federal roads across the country.
He called on government to effect timely repairs of the highways “so as to reduce cases of accident and untimely death of people”.
