As condolence messages continue to pour in for the Awolowo family, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has described the death of the publisher of Tribune Newspapers, Mr. Oluwole Awolowo as a great loss to journalism profession and humanity in general.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said the role of the late Oluwole Awolowo, as its publisher for many years, will remain evergreen in the history of the paper, which has leapt to great heights since it was established by the late sage,Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Thanks to the vision, commitment and hard work of the late publisher, and the hordes of journalists and others who have worked or are still working at The Tribune, the paper has become a leading light in our country’s media industry,’’ said a statement signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo.
The statement expressed the hope that the generation of journalists who benefited from the immense knowledge and managerial acumen of the late publisher will keep the flag flying by protecting the legacy Mr Oluwole left behind.
The forum commiserated with the members of Awolowo family and prayed that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irredeemable loss, while also granting the departed eternal rest.
Also,the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has commiserated with the family of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo over the sudden demise of Chief Oluwole Awolowo, the Vice Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria, Plc, and Publisher of Tribune Titles, describing it as sad and unfortunate.
Chief Awolowo died on Wednesday at Wellington hospital, St Johnswood, London.
Describing the death of Chief Awolowo as a devastating blow not only to the family of the sage but the entire nation as a whole, the Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson said his death came when his services to fatherland was mostly needed.
His death became more worrisome, especially now that the whole nation is looking up to the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Mama H.I.D. Awolowo for wise counsel, especially in the building of a virile and united nation.
Since death is a necessary end for all mortals, our consolation is that, even though Chief Awolowo is dead, he will be remembered for his good works.
On this very sad occasion, I, Hon. Seriake Dickson, on behalf of the Government and good people of Bayelsa state condole with the matriarch, Mama H.I.D. Awolowo, the entire Awolowo family and the management and staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria and pray to God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Meanwhile , the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has expressed its displeasure on the bad state of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other major roads in the country.
This came on the heel of the death of the Publisher of Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, who died in a United Kingdom Hospital as a result of the complications he suffered from a motor accidents he was involved in on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway about seven years ago.
Speaking through its Executive Chairman, Comrade Debo Adeniran, decried the apathetic attitude of the past and present governments to the droves of death occurring on our roads daily.
“It is unfortunate that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and many other major roads across the country are still in state of disrepair up till now despite the government budgeting billions of naira yearly for their repair. The droves of death on those roads should give responsible government concern.Late Chief Oluwole Awolowo lived up to seven years after the accident because he was able to afford medical treatment abroad. If not for the fact that he was rich, he would have been a forgotten issue long ago. There are many Nigerian citizens who have been rendered useless because of lack of fund to travel abroad, whereas many have lost their lives.
Comrade Adeniran also described the experience of the users of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as great nightmare and noted that the Nigerian Government owns its citizens the duty of ensuring that the road is in good and passable condition.
“The experiences of the users of that road are tales of woes. The potholes and craters endanger the lives of Nigerians masses using the road. The federal government must proffer a lasting solution to reduce the rate of motor accidents on this road and others around the country. The FG should review the work done so far on the roads and prevail on contractors awarded the repair to do so on time,” Adeniran maintained.
The human right activist however commiserated with the family of Late Oluwole Awolowo describing his death as the passage of a strong pillar in the country and prayed that God gives his family fortitude to bear the loss.
