“it is a cruel shock and annoying twist of fate. He died. His colleagues survived. The nation is left to mourn. We can only take solace in the belief that God knows best”.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State could not hold back his grief in a reaction to the death of John Abba Ogbodo, Assistant Political Editor of The Guardian who lost his life on Thursday while traveling along with three other journalists on official assignment from Abuja to Awka in Anambra State.
Although the three other journalists survived, the governor said it was an irony that Ogbodo’s death has robbed the nation and particularly the media of the opportunity to celebrate, adding it was a twist of fate that confronts everyone at this moment of grief.
“it is a cruel shock and annoying twist of fate. He died. His colleagues survived. The nation is left to mourn”, he stated.
Uduaghan, in a statement issued by Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary in Lagos also described the news of Ogbodo’s death as a “cruel shock” that will take a long time for journalists and politicians to overcome, while noting that the late journalist will be greatly missed for the candor, resilience and uncommon sense of duty that he attached to his job while alive.
The governor recalled that Ogbodo, while covering activities of the ruling Peoples Democratiic Party (PDP) as well as other political events, was always fair, incise and balanced, a fact which endeared him to all and sundry, culminating in the outpouring of grief by all manner of persons with the news of the death.
While calling on all to take solace in the wisdom that God knows why the late journalist had to bow out at a time when his bosses had acknowledged his proficiency, the Delta State Chief executive expressed condolence with the management and staff of The Guardian, the NUJ, particularly Abuja chapter and the late Ogbodo’s family for the sad loss.
He prayed God to grant the nation and those affected by the tragedy the fortitude to bear the loss as well as repose for the soul of the deceased.
SIGNED:
Felix Ofou, Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor.
