Edo State Governor,Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has expressed his rude shock over the death of renowned journalist and Vice Chairman of the Sun Publishing Company, publishers of the Sun Newspapers,Pastor Dimgba Igwe.
In a condolence letter to ‘ Dear Comrades at The Sun’ signed by Prince Kassim Afegbua, his special adviser, media and public affairs,Oshiomhole said ,“It came as a rude shock to learn of the death of one of your executives, a journalist with the Midas touch, whose literary contribution to the development of Nigeria media has its unique place in history. I have had opportunity to interact with him on a number of occasions and I could see the informed logic of his discourse especially on issues of statehood. Dimgba, was solid, articulate, prolific and commanded a mastery of the English word with effortless ease. He was a journalist,s Journalist. He was a teacher, preacher, pen-pusher extra-ordinaire and very humble personality. The Journalism profession has lost yet again another brilliant mind, in such a shocking manner that nobody bargained for. It aches, it pains, it hurts and beats me hollow.
Continuing, the letter said “I wish to use this medium on behalf of the people and government of Edo State convey my heartfelt condolences to my good friend and brother, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and members of the The Sun publishing Company on this sad incident. If Dimgba were to be ill, it would have been understandable. If he were to be ill-disposed as a result of human failings, one would have understood. But the circumstances of his death in the hands of a hit-and-run driver simply poisons my imagination. Dimgba, if this is how the Almighty God that you served so diligently decreed your end, may you find eternal rest in the hereafter. If your death is the handiwork of unforeseen adversaries, may your spirit never let them rest.”
Oshiomhole prayed God will “comfort his family and children, and grant them the strength to bear with this sudden death. May God grant them long life and imbue them with the capacity to enable them fulfill all Dimgba’s unfulfilled dreams. Amen. Rest in Peace”.
In a related development, Nigeria Labour Congress NLC said the circumstance of Igwe’s death calls to question the mental state of drivers in the country.
NLC said in a tribute signed by its general secretary by Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson that it “received the sad news of the unfortunate death of the Vice Chairman of the Sun Publishing Company, publishers of the Sun Newspapers, Mr. Dimgba Igwe who was killed yesterday, reportedly by a hit and run driver as he jogged around his residence at Okota in Lagos.
“We remember him as one of the founding editors of the defunct Concord newspapers and until death, a versatile columnist whose writings have contributed immensely to shaping thoughts, contemporary political discourse, and progressive journalism in Nigeria.
“ The circumstance of Mr. Igwe’s death calls to question the mental fitness of most drivers in Nigeria as we wonder as to what was the speed level of a vehicle that could run down a man within a small street, resulting in his untimely death in few hours.
“We call on the Federal Road Safety Commission to investigate, apprehend and prosecute the driver of the vehicle that allegedly ran down Mr. Igwe. Once drivers who derive joy in reckless driving get to know they could end up in jail, accidents such as this will be reduced.
“We condole with Mr. Igwe’s family, the Sun Publishing Company, the Nigeria Guild of Editors and indeed, the entire media community in Nigeria as we share in the collective agony his death has brought to all of us”NLC said.
