The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the death of a former Editor of defunct National Concord and erstwhile Chief Press Secretary to military President, General Ibrrahim Badamasi Babangida, Chief Duro Onabule, is not only a big loss to his family but also to Nigeria.
The minister addressed reporters yesterday after a condolence visit to the deceased’s family in Lagos.
Onabule died last Tuesday at 83.
Mohammed, who was received by Onabule’s widow, Subeidat, and other members of the family, said the country had lost a journalistic titan and a core patriot.
The minister noted that the late Onabule was a model of exemplary service not only to the nation but also to fellow Nigerians.
“I had known Chief Onabule for more than four decades. That is why I had a lot to write about him in the condolence register.
“Like I said during my address earlier, his death is not only a big loss to the family, the Awujale of Ijebu land and Ogun State, Nigeria has indeed lost a remarkable person.
“Look at his career. He was a formidable journalist, he was a titan of that profession, he was a respectable presidential spokesman, he was a great columnist.
“He mentored so many young people. He was a lover of the country. Nigeria has lost a patriot and a journalistic titan,” he said.
Mohammed said the late Onabule’s time as the immediate past board chairman of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) would be remembered for a long time as he gave his best in the service of Africa’s largest television network.
The minister said the late Onabule was among rare journalists who did well as critics of government and later as officials of government and comrades of the people.
“He was one of the few people who have seen both sides of the coin: he had been a journalist critical of government and had been a spokesperson for government,” he said.
Acting Director General of NTA, Mr. Abdul Hamid Dembos, who accompanied the minister during the visit, said though the exit of Onabule was painful, the consolation was that he lived an impactful life.