Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has expressed sadness at the passing away of Alhaji Ademola Fashola, father of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State.
Dr Uduaghan in a condolence message signed by Felix Ofou, his press secretary and directed to his Lagos State counterpart, specifically stated that the people and Government of Delta State share in the pain and sense of loss occasioned by the death of his father.
“The people and Government of Delta State share in this grief and pain. We understand the sense of loss that this death has engendered. We are with Governor Fashola every step of the Way”, he stated.
The Delta Governor further noted that the elder Fashola died at a time when his fatherly love, care and wisdom were still needed, but added that like all mortals, the deceased had to bow to the will of the Almighty God who is the author of life.
Uduaghan prayed God to grant the people and Government of Lagos State as well as the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Meanwhile, the Delta state Ministry of Information has suspended its ongoing Ministerial Mid-Term Press Conference in compliance with the directive of the NUJ National and Delta state Council to halt all media activities for one week in honour of the journalists.
A statement signed by the Commissioner, Chike Ogeah Esq and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Monday, August 5, 2013 Reads:
“It was with profound shock and sadness that the news of the sudden demise of three officials of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) reach me. The officials from the Lagos Council of the Union were involved in a ghastly auto accident last week.
“As a result, the on-going Ministerial Mid-Term Press Conference by commissioners in Delta State is hereby suspended for one week in honour of the three officials who paid the supreme price in their commitment to serve their members and improve the climate for media practice.
The suspension affects the briefings scheduled for Tuesday, August 6 and Thursday, August 8, 2013.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Delta State, I extend my heartfelt condolence to the NUJ and media practitioners in Nigeria. We pray the Almighty to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest. To their families and the media community, we pray for divine succor.
“The ministerial briefings will resume on Tuesday, August 13, 2013”, the statement noted.
Also, a statement signed by Delta state chairman and Secretary of NUJ, Delta state Council, Norbert Chiazor and Gomo Oyibokuku- Oyibororho had enjoined practicing journalists in the state to abide by the directives handed down by the National body of the Union.
