Uzodimma and Sanwo-Olu described Obasi’s death as a colossal loss to the media industry and the country as a whole.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma and his Lagos counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have joined the media industry and other concerned Nigerians in mourning the publisher of Hallmark Newspapers, Emeka Obasi.
The late Obasi, who hailed from Umuahia, Abia State, died in Lagos, on Tuesday, March 15, of undisclosed illness. He was 58.
Since the news of his passage, media colleagues and other Nigerians have lent voices in paying tributes to him, with many lamenting that his death has created huge vacuum in the profession.
In mourning the departed journalist, Governor Uzodimma, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, noted that Obasi was a thorough-bred media practitioner who devoted his time, energy, intellect and resources for the advancement of the media profession in Nigeria.
The Governor recalled that early in life Prince Obasi took to journalism practice and was to found Hallmark group of newspapers and later the National Mirror newspaper when he rested the Hallmark.
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He said Obasi’s love for the media continued and drove him to repackage the old Hallmark as Business Hallmark after he sold the National Mirror.
The Governor remarked that apart from Prince Obasi’s media engagements, he was also involved in other activities that helped to shape the image of the Nigerian society.
He recalled for instance, that Obasi founded the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), as a vehicle to confer the Zik’s Prize for Leadership recognition on deserving Nigerians.
Uzodimma regretted that Obasi, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State during the return to civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999 died when his services were needed most, both in his media constituency and the society at large.
He commiserated with the widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Obasi, the children, friends, associates and well-wishers over his death and encouraged them to find solace in the fact that Prince Obasi led a fulfilled life in God and contributed his quota for the good of mankind when he was alive.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, on his own, described the death of the veteran journalist, as a colossal loss to the media industry and the country as a whole.
In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, the governor stressed that the exit of the Obasi is painful and heartbreaking, considering his impact in the journalism profession.
He said: “The death of Prince Emeka Obasi is a great loss to the media industry and he will be greatly missed. He made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria as well as politics at the state and federal level.
“Obasi’s landmark achievements in the media industry are unprecedented as he managed several newspapers, among which are National Mirror, Hallmark and Business Hallmark, thereby providing job opportunities for hundreds of people, especially journalists in different parts of the country”.
