The death of the celebrated journalist and
Vice-Chairman of Sun Newspapers Limited,
Mr. Dimgba Igwe, in the early hours of
yesterday threw the media industry into
mourning. He was 58 years old.
According to earlier reports of his demise,
which went viral on the social media by
noon, and which was later confirmed by a
statement signed by the Managing Director/
Editor-in-Chief of Sun Newspapers Mr. Femi
Adesina, the deceased died by 10 a.m. as a
result of injuries suffered in an accident
caused by a hit-and-run driver as he jogged
in his Okota, Lagos neighbourhood.
The statement reads: “Mr. Igwe passed on
today (Saturday) 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.”
It explained that “First aid was administered
to him at St Raphael Hospital, Ago Palace
Way, before he was moved to LASUTH for
surgical emergency. He did not survive.”
The statement quoted Chairman and
Publisher of the Sun Newspapers, Dr. Orji
Uzor Kalu, as describing the development as
“tragic, shocking, and a dark day in the
annals of journalism in Nigeria.
“Dimgba Igwe was too much of a
gentleman, fine brain and mind to die
tragically like this,” he added.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to
pour in over his tragic death, which
President Goodluck Jonathan described as
very painful and tragic.
A statement by the president’s spokesman,
Dr. Reuben Abati said the deceased would
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,” the statement
said.
On his part, the Lagos State Governor, Mr.
Babatunde Fashola, in a condolence
message to the widow of the late journalist,
said the death is a sad loss to the
journalism profession in particular and the
literary world in general.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the
Governor on Media, Hakeem Bello, quoted
the governor as describing the late Igwe as
a trail blazer, who along with his age-long
friend and partner Mike Awoyinfa,
pioneered a refreshing brand of
newspapering with the Weekend Concord,
the Governor recalled the vibrancy which
late Dimgba Igwe brought into journalism
with his inimitable writing style and
comments on contemporary issues as well
as the stimulating biographies which he has
authored.
In his reaction, the Ondo State Governor, Dr
Olusegun Mimiko described Igwe’s death as
shocking, tragic and a colossal loss to the
pen profession, the literary world and the
Nigerian nation.
Mimiko, in a statement issued by the Ondo
State Commissioner for Information,
Kayode Akinmade, 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.
According to him, the late journalist took
his job as his passion and his passion as his
job.
The Nigerian National Committee of the
International Press Institute (IPI), in a
statement signed by its chairman, Kabiru
Yusuf, said the deceased will be long
remembered and celebrated as a well-
rounded journalist who distinguished
himself as a reporter, writer, columnist,
editor, media manager, author and
publisher.
In his condolence message, Gov Liyel Imoke
of Cross River State, according to a press
statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr.
Christian Ita, said he received the news of
Igwe’s death with shock, pain and deep
grief, saying it is saddening and regrettable
that he died in such a gruesome manner
while jogging.
Recalling the late journalist’s incisive
commentaries in his popular and well-read
column, “Side View,” Governor Imoke noted:
“He was a seasoned and consummate
journalist who used his column, ‘Side View’,
not only to inform but to deplore the socio-
political ills in the society.”
On his part, the Speaker, Lagos State House
of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji
described the late journalist as one of the
very best of media professionals to ever
come out of Africa.
In a statement signed on his behalf by his
Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo,
Ikuforiji declared: “The sudden death of one
of Africa’s best professional media
practitioners, in the person of
internationally acclaimed Dimgba Igwe, is a
national tragedy. All Nigerians had wished,
never happened.” He therefore urged the
relevant security agency to “Do everything
possible to bring the killer of the late
Dimgba Igwe to justice without delay.
However, Adesina, who is also President of
Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Adesina
said, “It is very sad; it is a colossal loss to
journalism; he was a very dedicated
journalist; a General of the Guild and an
impeccable writer. At our last conference in
Kastina, he contributed a lot and was one of
the discussants in a paper.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN), Adesina said “To hear that he is dead
one week after is indeed devastating;
Nigerians in general and journalists in
particular will miss him.
SOURCE www.thisdaylive.com/articles/celebrated-journalist-dimgba-igwe-killed-by-hit-and-run-driver/188434/

RIP...

Shocking.

May his soul rest in perfect peace .