Jonathan, other eminent Nigerians mourn Dimgba Igwe

The Nigerian media was Saturday thrown into a mourning mood over the death of veteran journalist and Vice Chairman of The Sun newspapers, Pastor Dimgba Igwe, who died Saturday morning after he was knocked down by a vehicle while jogging around his residence in Okota area of Lagos State.

Igwe aged 58, who was said to have sustained a fatal injury from the accident, died immediately after undergoing a surgery at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

The late journalist had also served as the Deputy Managing Director and Deputy Editor-in- Chief of the Sun Newspapers at different times. Until his death, he was the Assistant General Overseer of the Evangel Pentecostal Church, Lagos.

According to a statement issued by The Sun newspapers and signed by the Managing Editor/Editor-in-Chief of the company Femi Adeshina, Mr Igwe passed on around 10am, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) of injuries suffered from a hit-and-run driver, as he jogged in his Okota, Lagos neighbourhood. First Aid was administered to him at St Raphael Hospital, Ago Palace Way, before he was moved to LASUTH for surgical emergency, but he did not survive.

Reacting to the sad news, the Chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu described the day as the darkest day in the history of the organisation.

“He was too much of a gentleman, fine brain and mind to die tragically like this,” Kalu said.

President Jonathan said received with shock, the sad news of the untimely death of Mr. Dimgba Igwe.

“On behalf of himself, his family and the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends heartfelt commiserations to the publishers of the Sun newspapers, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and all friends and associates of Mr. Igwe, for whom his unexpected death must be exceedingly painful,” said a statement by Media Adviser, Reuben Abati.

“President Jonathan believes that the late Mr. Igwe will always be remembered as a hardworking and dependable professional, who, through his various writings as columnist, author and public speaker, demonstrated a special ability to convey the truth and his convictions in lucid, compelling prose, and in a style that was shorn of cant and foppery.

“As they mourn him, the President enjoins Mr. Igwe’s family, friends and associates to be consoled by the knowledge that he put his God-given abilities to the best possible use in a very purposeful life that was wholly devoted to the defence of truth and the public interest, as well as the promotion of the highest standards of his chosen profession of journalism.

“President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of the very forthright journalist and media administrator, and also grant his soul, peaceful repose,” the statement said.

Also the Deputy Senate President, Sena­tor Ike Ekwer­emadu has expressed shock and deep sorrow over the death of the Vice Chairman of The Sun Publishing Lim­ited, Pastor Dimgba Igwe.

Ekweremadu, who de­scribed Pastor Dimgba as a “quintessential journalist”, said the death was a “typi­cal thunderbolt from a blue, serene, sky.

“I am short of words to describe this sad event. Sometimes. life could be cruel beyond measure, and this is one of such instanc­es. It is a grievous loss to  not only The Sun Publish­ing family, but our media industry and the nation as a whole. “Pastor Dimgba was one of the finest hands in the nation’s media industry. Besides leaving footprints of excellence on many of the nation’s leading media houses, including The Sun Publishing Limited, his reg­ular column, “Sideview” was a prototype of excel­lence and professionalism.

“He was a flawless writ­er, a compelling analyst, and God-fearing media guru. He told the truth, as he knew it, in a sermon-like manner that held his readers addicted and spellbound. He will be highly missed,”

In his condolence message to the family, Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi, described Igwe’s death as shocking and heart-rending. Ajumobi, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo said, “Igwe was one of the beacons of journalism. He was one of the leading lights of the profession. That a man of peace like him could be visited by the violence of the road is one of the contradictions of life,” the governor said.

He recalled Igwe’s “deep, incisive and fluid” commentaries on the back page of the Sun and said that he made remarkable contributions to the cause of journalism in Nigeria.

While commiserating with the Publisher of the Sun, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and the Sun family, Ajimobi urged them to take solace in what he called the uncommon intellectual strides of the late Igwe and take his death as an act of God.

“He came to the world for the purpose of enriching journalism, discourses at the public sphere and he did this very remarkably. He left when the ovation was loudest. We should all bother less about him as he has fulfilled his destiny, but bother more about what marks we are making in our various endeavours,” he said.

Ondo State governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko described Dimgba’s death as a colossal loss to pen profession, the literary world and the Nigeria nation. In a statement issued by the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, Mimiko said the columnist of repute bestrode the journalism profession as a colossus winning many professional awards and distinguishing himself as a worthy practitioner of the Fourth Estate.

Governor Mimiko expressed the condolence and sympathy of the people and government of Ondo State to the bereaved family, Publisher of the Sun Newspapers Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, management and the entire staff of The Sun Newspapers and Entertainment Express.

Reacting, the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi said he was devastated by Igwe’s death. Recalling the last conversation he had with Mr. Igwe, who was bent on organising a forum for him to tell the young ones his experiences as the Governor of Anambra State for leadership lessons therein, he said that one of the most resourceful Journalists had died.

Obi, who said he had already called to commiserate the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adeshina  on the death, prays to God for the repose of his soul.

Until his death, Dimgba Igwe was a respected journalist with over 30 years experience as a publisher, author, biographer and pastor. He was part of the success story of some hugely successful newspaper houses including the defunct Weekend Concord, The Sun and was the co-publisher of Entertainment Express along with his friend and professional partner, Mike Awoyinfa.