More condolences over New Telegraph Saturday Editor’s death

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja and Oziegbe Okoeki

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leaders, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have commiserated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) over the death of one of their colleagues, Mr. Waheed Bakare.

Asiwaju Tinubu said the late editor was a diligent and committed journalist who was devoted to the journalism profession.

In a condolence letter to the Managing Director of New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr. Ayo Aminu, the APC leader said: “I’m deeply saddened by the news of the death of your colleague, Mr. Waheed Bakare, the Saturday New Telegraph Editor.

“I have been made to understand and appreciate Mr. Bakare’s journalism trajectory, particularly his rise from being an Assistant Editor at Punch Newspapers to the zenith of the profession as Editor at New Telegraph Newspaper.

“His career, as I learnt, was hallmarked by diligence, commitment, perseverance and professionalism.

“I recall his contributions on Journalists’ Hangout, TVC’s award-winning programme, where he engaged in incisive analysis of national issues.

“Indeed, Mr. Bakare’s demise is a sad loss not only to his family, the New Telegraph Newspaper, the Guild of Editors and the media industry generally; it’s also a big loss to all of us.

“My thoughts are with his family and colleagues at New Telegraph Newspaper at this moment. May Almighty Allah comfort his wife and children and give them strength to live with this demise.

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“I pray that Allah (SWT) accept the soul of Waheed, reward his good deeds as a devout Muslim, forgive his sins and grant him Al-Jannah Fir’daous, Amin.”

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his spokesman Ola Awoniyi, the Senate President also condoled with the late Bakare’s family as well as the management and workers of the New Telegraph, where Bakare worked as the Saturday Editor.

Omo-Agege, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, described the late Bakare as “one of our finest in the journalism profession”.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, urged the late Bakare’s family, friends, colleagues and associates to accept it as the Will of Allah.

He said: “We should be consoled by the modest achievements of late editor. Death is inevitable as we all will die. Our goal in life is not to live forever but to create something that will outlive us, bearing it in mind that it is not the length of life that matters but the depth of life.

“Waheed lived an exemplary life. He was a devout Muslim, a dutiful husband and a good father to his children. Above all, he touched millions of lives through his chosen profession as a journalist, and rose to the position of Saturday Editor of a national newspaper.

“No doubt, the NUJ at the state and the national levels as well as the NGE will by now be mourning the loss of an illustrious member. I pray that God will comfort you.”

“May God comfort his immediate family, friends and associates. May God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. May He grant the soul of Waheed Al-Jannah Fir’daous, Amen,” Sanwo-Olu said.