SHOCK and disbelief rent the air in the North, following the news of the death of The Guardian Newspapers Publisher, Mr. Alex Ibru, who passed on yesterday.

Among the many sympathisers were the former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Special Senior Assistant to the Kaduna State Governor on Media, Mr. Reuben Buhari, who expressed grief on the passing on of Mr. Ibru.

Musa, in his condolence message, said: “This is a loss to the nation and the newspaper industry in particular. He had actually played a noble role as a publisher and a businessman.

“Himself and The Guardian have done a lot in informing Nigerians and worked to stabilise the country during the trying moments of the country. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and may his soul rest in peace. May God grant his family members the fortitude to bear the loss and reward them abundantly for his contributions to nation-building”.

Musa, who is also the opposition leader, going into memory lane, said during the trying moments in Nigeria, the late Ibru, under the military, fought doggedly to ensure that the country was returned back to civil rule”.

He explained that in spite of the Abacha regime’s clamped-down on The Guardian when it was proscribed, “he (Ibru) took it kindly and he did his best to ensure that the crisis between The Guardian and government did not go beyond the controversy against the government and as a result, The Guardian has survived”.

Besides, Makarfi in his remarks stated: “It is a great national loss. He lived a good and fulfilled life in all respect. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen”.

The ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, on hearing the news of the death of Alex Ibru, said “we have lost a gem in this country. Ibru in truth really contributed his quota to the development of the nation both as businessman and publisher. May his soul rest in peace”.

Meanwhile, the Media Aide to Kaduna State Governor, in his reaction to the demise of Mr. Ibru, queried, “is it true of what we are hearing that Ibru is dead?

“Let us take solace that the man served the generality of mankind in this country and his footprints are there for all to follow. On behalf of the Kaduna State government, accept our condolences and may his soul rest in peace.”

-Guardian

Posted by admin on Nov 21 2011. Filed under Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry