On
June 4, the life of Mr Uwakwe Abugu, a
distinguished journalist, was snatched away by the fangs of death from
his family and friends, by extension from distinguished men of the pen
profession and the Enugu state government. The late Abugu died
on active service,holding political appointment as chief press
secretary to the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state before his
death.
Late
Uwakwe Abugu died in far way India after a protracted illness. His
death at an Indian hospital is a clear indication that both his
friends,family and the government of Enugu state did all humanly
possible to save his life. He attained laudable heights during his over
two decades of active print Journalism practice from the cradles to
become a Senior Correspondent,Regional Editor/Bureau Chief in many
National dailies until he was incorporated into the bandwagon of media
managers of Governor Ugwuanyi in June 2015.
His
experience and charisma was manifested as he worked harmoniously with
the media team of Governor Ugwuanyi in propagating the open door policy
of the present administration in the state. Late Uwakwe Abugu exhibited
exemplary character as a public servant. His office was very accessible
to every journalist through out the federation either for cross checking
of facts or request for additional information on any issue. His death
death shook media men both in Enugu and other parts of the country,who
have had an opportunity to interact with him. Therefore, it was not
surprising why many of his colleagues from far and near, not minding
their ever busy schedules carved out time to honour him at his death,by
participating in the various programmes of his befitting burial .
.
Barely
few minutes after the official press statement of Abugu's death was
mailed to news men in Enugu by the state commissioner for
information,Chief Ogbuagu Anikwe. the sad news went hay wire as almost
all national dailies posted it online while it also made front page in
many National daily newspapers,the next day. The reason was not just
basically the chief press secretary to Governor Ugwuanyi but also based
on the fact that the late Abugu had practiced with many national
newspapers either as a head office staff or a Correspondent/Bureau chief
in some states. His proven experience in field of practice also made
him house hold name among many ardent Nigerian Newspaper readers who
read his bylines but never met him in person.
The
reputation and dignity he achieved over his three decades of practice
revealed more of his acceptance and popularity as his colleagues from
the Correspondent chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ, Enugu
state chapter, the Enugu state counsel of NUJ as a body, the Government
house chapel,NUJ, his office staff and his friends across other
professional bodies showed so much concern in the befitting burial
accorded to late Uwakwe Abugu.
The
various groups joined his family and friends to receive his corpse as
it was flown back to Enugu on June 9, through Akanu Ibiam International
airport. As soon as his funeral ceremonies was fixed to hold on Friday,
June 29 by the family in conjunction with the state government, the
Correspondents chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ, Enugu state
chapter,organised a wake keep in honour on Tuesday,June 26.
Distinguished
personalities among whom were the state commissioner for
Information,Chief Ogbuagu Anikwe, the Special adviser on Media to
Governor Ugwuanyi,Mr Louis Amoke, Mr Lawrence Ani and many others from
the Government house unit left their offices to join in the wake keep
held at the ground floor of 24 Edinburgh road office of the
Correspondents' Chapel.
The
next day being Wednesday,June 27, a night of tribute was held in honour
of the Late Uwakwe Abugu, at state council of Nigeria Union of
Journalists,NUJ,located at No 4 Rangers avenue,Independent
layout,Enugu.The state Council had equally opened a condolence Register
at the council immediately Uwakwe Abugu's death was officially made
public. The same was obtained at Government house press unit.
The
tributes and honour for late Uwakwe Abugu from his colleagues in the
pen profession did not stop at Enugu, the serene community of Olido in
Igbo Eze North local government of Enugu state witnessed visitors from
various parts of the country as many senior Journalists and Newspaper
Ediotrs from Lagos,Ibadan,Abuja,Onitsha,Owerri, traced out the community
to join in paying last respect to their late colleague as his remains
and final funeral ceremony was held on Friday,June 29 in his village.
Therefore it was not a surprise that St Patrick's Catholic Olido was
filled up with people from all walks of life who attended late Uwakwe's
funeral ceremony.
In
addition, Other staff of Enugu government house,several commissioners
and other political appointees who has worked close to the late Uwakwe
Abugu in the past three years he came on board government business as
chief Press Secretary to Governor Ugwuanyi,carved out time out of their
ever busy schedule in paying respect to their colleague.
Thereafter
the funeral mass, the ceremony continued continued at Community primary
school Olido,where guests were equally entertained. Governor Ugwuanyi
also arrived at the continuation of the ceremony at Olido primary
school to identify with late Abugu's immediate community and family. The
Director General of Voice of Nigeria[VON], Mr Osita Okechukwu was also
among the dignitaries who attended.
The
late Uwakwe Abugu was also home with his people. In as much as the
nature of the Journalism profession kept him busy across many cities in
the country, He still carved a niche among his people. Brief testimonies
in his biography disclosed that he influenced the construction of
several classroom blocks in the community primary schools, influenced
the attraction of Giant size 500 KVA transformer to Olido and Aguta
communities. While many pupils and students from his community are
under his scholarship. What a Rare gem and a distinguished Journalist
among his colleagues men.
Adieu Uwakwe Abugu.
Photo of Governor of Enugu
State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left), consoling the family of Late Mr. Uwakwe Abugu
his, Chief Press Secretary during his burial at Olido Enugu-Ezike Igbo-Eze
North LGA.
Uwakwe Abugu.....a Great Honour for a distinguished Journalist by Maurice Okafor
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Friday, July 13, 2018
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