Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed sadness over news of the sudden death of former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, saying it is a huge loss to the media.
Mr. Iwuoha reportedly died in Umuahia on Monday.
In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor said Mr. Iwuoha’s passing was both shocking and unbelievable.
The Governor who described Mr. Iwuoha as one of the finest journalists Nigeria has produced, said he was not only humane, but a patriotic and a great bridge builder who used his profession to advance the course of the country as President of NUJ and a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE).
Governor Uzodimma recalled that Mr. Iwuoha plied his trade creditably in the Imo State owned newspaper – The Statesman, the Federal Government owned newspaper – Daily Times, among others and acquitted himself creditably.
He said Mr. Iwuoha’s love for equity, justice and fairness made it possible for him to marry his profession effectively with labour unionism.
Governor Uzodimma said he was not surprised that Mr. Iwuoha was greatly sought after by leaders in his State, Abia, where he was at one time Media Adviser to the Governor of his State as well as Commissioner for Information, Culture and Strategy at another time.
Describing his death as huge loss to the journalism profession, to Abia State and Nigeria, Governor Uzodimma specifically commiserated with the President of the NUJ, Mr. Chris Isiguzo, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mallam Mustapga Isah and the family of the deceased over the huge loss.
He also prayed God Almighty to grant Mr. Iwuoha’s soul peaceful repose and for those he has left to mourn him, particularly the widow, the grace and fortitude to bear the loss.
