By Queen Kunde
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council mourns the death of a senior journalist. Mr. John Oba who died at the early hours of Thursday after a brief illness.
In a statement released Friday, jointly signed by Comrades Osaretin Osadebamwen and Ochiaka Ugwu, Chairman and Secretary of Council respectively, it noted that, “Oba who worked at different times with both Leadership and Blueprint Newspapers was a tireless defender of the freedom, independence and pluralism of the media.
“Responsible reportage was his life’s struggle, which he fought with unshakeable conviction and upheld the ethics of the profession till the end” the statement read in part.
“With boundless energy and a ready commitment to proactive reporting, Oba in synergy with his fellow Agric reporters nurtured and registered “The Media Network for Food and Water Safety” which was meant to revolutionize food and water reportage in Nigeria. This best explained why many media practitioners mourned his passing.
“There is no doubt that this is certainly not the best of time for the NUJ family and Agric correspondents. It is more disturbing that he died when his services were most needed by the Council and his community.
“Oba was a devoted journalist, an exemplary, unpretentious and hard-working newsman, who plied his trade with diligence, devotion and integrity.
“He was modest, calm and gentle during his lifetime and would be greatly missed by his colleagues.
“The truth remains that, the journalism world has lost an industrious and active practitioner to the cold hands of death”.
“The NUJ FCT consoles his immediate family and prays that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.