PDP, Amaechi, Chime React To Ibru’s Demise

Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, has described Late Alex Ibru, the founding Publisher and Chairman of the Guardian Newspapers as a true patriot whose place will be difficult to fill.

The National Chairman who stated this yesterday while reacting to the death of the late media mogul said he was shocked and pained by the news of Ibru’s demise.

He noted that his death came at a time when the nation desperately needed his services and contributions through his numerous humanity-oriented platforms such as Nigeria’s flagship newspaper, The Guardian, Trinity Foundation, a Philanthropic Outreach and the Ibru Centre which promotes ecumenism and religious harmony in the country.

“Mr  Alex Ibru’s passage is a great loss to Nigeria’s media in particular and to the nation in general. He was a patriot of the first order who left his thriving business to serve Nigeria as Internal Affairs Minister thereby contributing immensely to the far-reaching reforms in the nation’s Prisons and the Immigration service. He was a committed and selfless nation-builder. We will miss his invaluable advice and services particularly at this time in the on-going transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration”, he said.

Alhaji Baraje described his death as too soon for a man who has done too well and still has too much to do for his God and country.

The National Chairman expressed deep sympathy to Ibru’s wife, Maiden, his children and entire family and prayed God’s abundant mercy for the repose of the deceased and also the fortitude to bear his loss.

In a related development, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi also commiserated with the Ibru family and the Guardian Newspapers over the passing of its Chairman and Publisher, Chief Alex Ibru.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr David Iyofor, Governor Amaechi said the death of Ibru was a huge loss to the nation particularly its media industry.

Amaechi described Late Ibru as an entrepreneur with great values whose commitment to nation building was highly commendable.

“The Late Ibru was a pacesetter who brought and stood by professionalism in our country’s media industry. His flagship Newspaper, The Guardian has over the years maintained its tempo as one of the best and this is no doubt a result of Chief Ibru’s commitment to professionalism,” Amaechi said.

The Governor condoled with the family of the deceased, urging them to find strength in God Almighty and solace in the legacy left behind by late Chief Alex Ibru.

In the same vein, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State described the passage of the Publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Chief Alex Ibru, as “a huge loss” to Nigeria.

Chime, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Chukwudi Achife, in Enugu on Monday, said the death came at a time when Ibru’s experience was needed to scale through the daunting socio-economic challenges in the country.

He described Ibru as an exemplary leader, whose contributions to national development and growth in journalism were massive.

The statement further stated that Ibru fought persistently for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria and left a trace of excellence.

The governor commiserated with the deceased’s family, his Delta counterpart, Gov. Emmanuel Udaughan, and the people of the state over the loss.