By Henry Oduah
Reporter
President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, John Odiegie-Oyegun, and others have paid glowing tributes to TheNiche Assistant Editor (North), Chuks Ehirim, who died on Thursday, June 16.
Ehirim was the immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja chapter.
Buhari
Buhari, represented by his Media Assistant, Garba Shehu, in a visit to Ehirim’s family described him as a man of courage and unparalleled passion in matters of conviction.
He urged friends of the late comrade to support his family, especially his children, whose education would make continual demand on finances.
“As a senior journalist, he was not too big to follow our campaign. He believed in the change Muhammadu Buhari has preached and he believes in what Muhammadu wants to do for Nigeria,” Shehu said.
“He slept in Daura in Muhammadu Buhari’s home. For a number of times he came with us, he was not too proud to enter the rickety buses in which we were driving around. In which we did the campaign.
“Our prayer was God would make Muhammadu Buhari become president of Nigeria. That God would bring the day when Chuks himself would enter the shadow and drink from the joy of the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.
“(But) God has decided to take him at this time. We cannot do anything. It cannot be helped. It is His time and there is nothing anyone can do. We also will go, one day.
“We take consolation in the fact that Chuks was a very honest, courageous and a very hard working journalist.
“He worked hard for this country and his labour will not be in vein. God will be with you and all of his children. God will take care of you.
“On behalf … President Muhammadu Buhari who is outside the country now because he is not well, to receive treatment, we want to console you and pray that God will receive [Chuks’] soul.
“And will console you and give you the strength to carry on with the responsibility that now rests on you.
“We hope that all of us his friends will not fail you. God will help, in whatever way we can support you and the kids. So, please bear with us.
“It is God’s decision, we cannot do anything about it. May God accept his soul and give you the inner strength to bear this loss.”
Atiku
Atiku said through his media office that “Chuks was a fair-minded professional, a conscientious journalist, a progressive democrat and committed nationalist.”
He recalled that Ehirim was a frontline champion of democratic ideals who used mass communication to advocate his avowed interest in equity, fairness, and justice.
He cited his activism which gradually gained weight back in his students’ union days at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
Atiku said it was painful to learn that the man, popularly called Eze Igbo by his peers for his belief in the identity of the Igbo nation within the Nigerian entity, would succumb so casually to the cold hands of death after a long struggle to install the current government of change.
Media colleagues equally expressed heartfelt concern and prayed for the family to have the fortitude to bear the loss.
Oyegun
Odigie-Oyegun, in a condolence letter to NUJ National President, Abdulwaheed Odusile, prayed for the repose of the soul of Chuks and strength for the family.
“On behalf of our great party, the … APC, may I express my heartfelt condolences on the shocking death of the immediate past chairman of the … NUJ, Abuja chapter, Chuks Ehirim ….,” the letter said.
“It is terrible to hear about the sudden death when we thought he was recovering from his ailment. May the Almighty God give the soul of … Chuks Ehirim eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain.
“I also take this opportunity to express my sympathy to the NUJ and the management and staff of TheNiche newspaper, his last employer.
“Chuks Ehirim was one of the first persons I interacted with soon after I became national chairman of the APC and I found him most knowledgeable, professional, and a man who believed in the unity and potentials for greatness of our nation.
“I also recall, with satisfaction, [his] years of meritorious and unblemished record of service in the media profession.
“He went on to lead the Abuja chapter of the NUJ between 2012 and 2015 from where he passionately advocated for the rights, welfare and security of journalists in Nigeria.
“Indeed, the journalism profession has lost an illustrious son. Nationally, Chuks Ehirim used the journalism profession and activism to propagate progressive and democratic ideals in the country.
“As we mourn [his] loss … I am with you in thoughts and prayers. May his soul rest in peace. Adieu Chuks Ehirim.”
Ehirim died at Garki General Hospital, Abuja on a day he turned 50.
He read mass communication at the UNN, graduating in 1992.
He had worked in several media houses before he joined TheNiche in 2014.
