Alhaji Odunewu’s Place Alongside The Greats Of Nigerian Journalism Is Assured – President Jonathan
On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan commiserates with the family of foremost journalist, public affairs analyst, administrator and role model for media professionals, Alhaji Alade Odunewu who passed away yesterday at the age of 85.
President Jonathan joins the Odunewu family and all who knew “Allah De” as he was popularly known in mourning the veteran journalist who attained national fame with his popular and widely read satirical newspaper columns with which he entertained, educated and edified an adoring public.
The President believes that as Alhaji Odunewu is laid to rest in Lagos today, his family, relatives, associates, admirers and the many media professionals for whom he was an inspiring mentor and role model should be comforted by the knowledge that his place alongside the greats of Nigerian journalism is assured.
President Jonathan also believes that Alhaji Odunewu will be eternally remembered and honoured as a nationalist and patriot whose notable contributions to national development extended well beyond his chosen profession of journalism to the public service of his state and Nigeria where he served with distinction as Commissioner, member of the Federal Electoral Commission and Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council.
As they mourn him, the President urges the present generation of Nigerian journalists to strive to emulate Alhaji Odunewu’s exemplary craftsmanship, courage, forthrightness, fairness, patriotism, honesty and moral rectitude which were most apparent in his life and also evident in “Winner Takes All”, the collection of writings which he has bequeathed to posterity.
He prays that God Almighty will receive Alhaji Odunewu’s gentle soul and grant him eternal rest.
‘Allah De’ was a man of uncommon talent – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has 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.
Popularly known as “Allah De” in his celebrated column in the Daily Times, 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 further added.
He expressed his condolences to the Odunewu family, the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Guild of Editors over the big loss of this icon of journalism.
Odunewu: Nigeria has lost a patriot – Kalu
A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described late veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, as a man committed to the advancement of Nigeria’s progress.
Kalu described the passing on of Odunewu, popularly known by the pen name, Allah-Dey, as a huge loss to Nigeria and the journalism profession.
He said Odunewu demonstrated his commitment to the advancement of the Nigeria project both in his professional and personal life.
A statement by Oyekunle Oyewumi, his Special Adviser, quoted Kalu as saying: “Allah-Dey used his fearless writing to speak the truth to the powers that be.
“His writing clearly demonstrated that he had a passion for the advancement of the Nigeria project.
“And in his personal life, he groomed a lot of journalists, with the sole aim of ensuring that apart from earning a daily living, have an army of patriots that could take over from him as professional journalists.”
Kalu, the publisher of Sun newspapers, said without the likes of Odunewu, journalism may not have survived for this long in Nigeria.
Oyewumi quoted Kalu, who is in Zimbabwe as part of the African Union Election Observer Mission, as saying further: “I can only wish the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.
“But Nigeria has certainly lost a great patriot, role model and fierce writer.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
