Media colleagues are yet to come to terms with the exit of former NUJ President, Bonnie Iwuoha
By Emma Ogbuehi
Shock and gloom pervaded most media organisations on Tuesday, when the news of the death of former Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bonnie Iwuoha, filtered into the newsrooms.
Iwuoha died in Umuahia, Abia State, where he served his State creditably and with passion, in the evening of Monday, December 20, 2021.
He was at a time, Commissioner for Information in Abia State, under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Before then, he was a Special Adviser, Media.
Iwuoha spent over 38 years in the Media, during which he played active roles in many Media Houses. He was a former Managing Editor/Head of Editorial, Daily Times. He was also a very senior staff at the Imo Newspapers, Owerri, as well as the Ambassador Newspapers, an Abia State Government-owned Newspaper.
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Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, in reacting to his death, described it as a huge loss to the media. The governor who made the remarks in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, said Iwuoha’s passing was both shocking and unbelievable.
Uzodinma further described the late Iwuoha as one of the finest journalists Nigeria has produced, adding that he was not only humane, but a patriotic and great bridge builder who used his profession to advance the course of the country as President of NUJ and a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE).
Professional colleagues equally expressed shock at Iwuoha’s passage. In a heart-felt condolence, Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of TheNiche Newspapers, Ikechukwu Amaechi, described Iwuoha as a thoroughbred professional who did not allow the great heights he had attained in the industry to affect his humble carriage. According to him, Nigeria and pen profession will miss the mature and candid carriage of the ex-NUJ president. “Adieu, Oga Bonnie. May your good soul find peace in the Lord”, he said.
Emma Agu, former Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, Champion Group of Newspapers, and now, Publisher, True Vision, in his tributes, noted: “I’m speechless. Able, Able. God is able. If He didn’t keep you here, then there must be a better reason. No more worries, no more pains. Though shattered, we take consolation in the knowledge that you will remain in our hearts. RIP”
Erstwhile Managing Director of the New Telegraph Newspapers, Bolaji Tunji, tearfully wrote that Iwuoha “was a pleasant man who was quite passionate about everything media. May his soul rest in peace and may the family and loved ones left behind be consoled, amen”.
Ike Abonyi, one time Politics Editor of THISDAY Newspapers, and Media Adviser to the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Uche Secondus, in his remark, stated; “Rest in Peace Bonnie Iwuoha, a man with a Good heart”.
In a moving eulogy, Saturday Editor of the rested National Interest Newspapers, Angela Agoawike, recalled the good moments she shared with the late Iwuoha and prayed that God would grant his soul eternal rest.
‘Big bros’ as I always called you, in life you were warmly thought of and in death, you shall always be fondly remembered. Fare thee, well Dee Bonnie, a patriot and humanist, see you on Resurrection Day.
“May the Almighty look beyond your failings and grant you safe passage into His Kingdom, and may He comfort the family and loved ones he left behind”, she mourned.
Editor, TheNiche Newspapers, Emeka Alex Duru, lamented; “Presido was a good man, God-fearing and straight as a rod. His death is a huge blow to humanity and the media profession. It is well with his soul”.
