Society
Journalism In Shock As News Of Dimgba Igwe’s Death In Hit & Run Road Accident Spreads
…President Jonathan, Rotimi Amaechi others mourn, as Rivers Gov calls for justice
Journalism is in shock.
One of the industries brightest, Mr Dimgba Igwe is dead.
Life was abruptly snatched away from the 58years old in a hit and run car accident.
The fertile mind was reportedly jogging on his street in Okota Lagos on Saturday morning when he was hit.
The perpetrator ran off while Dimgba was rushed to an hospital but pronounced ‘dead on arrival’.
The world continue to label development ‘shocking’ as sobering reactions pour in from far and wide.
President Goodluck Jonathan in communication via Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abatti describes the occurrence as ‘ Shocking, Sad and untimely’.
The nation’s number one man who identified Dimgba as putting his ‘God given abilities to promotion of the highest standards of his chosen profession, Journalism’ also prayed for ‘ the fortitude to bear the loss of the very forthright journalist and media administrator, and his soul peaceful repose’
Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi in a correspondence with the management of Sun Newspaper – which Dimgba pioneered with bosom friend, Mike Awoyinfa and was vice chairman at the time of death- expressed ‘shock and regret’ over the death of the man he describes as ‘one of the leading lights of Nigerian journalism’, ‘ passionate and painstaking’ and ‘One of Nigeria’s brightest and best’.
The Rivers state governor equally called on police authorities to ‘do their utmost to bring the killer to book’, while expressing the sympathies of his immediate family, government and people of Rivers state over the loss.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu equally expressed shock and deep sorrow over the affair.
Mr Ekweremadu describes the development as like a “typical thunderbolt from a blue, serene, sky.’
And put the effect of the happenstance on him in better perspective
“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.’
On his part, former Governor of Abia state and financial muscle behind Sun News Paper, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu label the death of the top journalist as ‘darkest day in the history of the Sun newspaper’
While confirming the death Mr Femi Adeshina, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors made the grave assertion ‘
“Yes it’s true. He was my boss, he was my mentor, I feel his devastated about his death. This time last week, we were together at the NGE conference only to find out about his death this morning,’.
Mr Adeshina is the Editor In Chief, Sun News paper- a position he assumed when Dimgba and friend, Mike Awoyinfa left the establishment as founding deputy managing director and managing director four years ago.
The duo left establishment – but retained interest and back page columns – to kick state another publication, Entertainment Weekly- with another former Sun Staffer, Azuh Amatus as Editor.
Both Dimgba and Awonyinfa are well recognised and celebrated veterans that have successful bridged the gulf between the old and new, while retaining powerful influence in and out of their chosen field.
The duo pioneered the now rested popular publication funded by late industrialist of high
national and international regard, Weekend Concord newspaper.
Outside of these they penned life changing literary works including the feat of a production ‘Mike Adenuga: The Business Guru’ and much touted package ‘Osoba: The Newspaper Years’ and industry changing put together ‘The Arts of Feature Writing’.
Away from journalism, Igwe was until his death the Assistant General overseer of Evangel Pentecostal Church, Lagos.
Good friend and life long associate, Mike Awoyinfa – believed to be hugely devastated – remains incommunicado at press time.
