Journalists, Others Mourn The Tide Editor

The remains of the Editor of The Tide on Sunday and a former member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr Friday Benruth Nwinudee, have been interred at Kono, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. Late Nwinudee, a former Secretary of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) died in April at the age of 51.

Speaking at the funeral service held at the Kono Secondary School field, Saturday, the priest in charge of the Kono Circuit of the Methodist Church, The Revd Dee Baridilo Legbara said death is the beginning of a new life, as it marks the moment of transition from the mortality to be with the creator in eternity and warned on the need for all to live carefully with the fear of God.

According to him, funeral service was not just to commit the deceased to God or eulogise him for what he may have done while he lived, it was a time for the living to understand that he has limited time on earth and that he should reflect on himself to ensure that he was in good standing with God.

He admonished the family and associates of late Nwinudee to support the family and ensure that the children he left behind do not suffer. “Nobody should trifle with whatever Friday Nwinudee has left to help the education of his children including whatever is due him from his place of employment,” the priest said.

Also speaking, the General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide newspapers, Mr Celestine Ogolo, on behalf of the Commissioner for Information and Communications, assured the corporation’s commitment to ensure that the late Editor gets his due.

The chairman of the NUJ, Rivers State, Mr Opaka Dokubo, described late Friday Nwinudee as a core professional who gave his all to journalism, and expressed hope that from the same creator would emerge his ashes.

A former colleague of Late Nwinudee who represented the President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Fred Fabor conveyed the sympathy of the NGE President, Mr Gbenga Adefuye, stated that the deceased was in the National Executive Council of the Guild as a thorough-bred investigative journalist, adding that the late editor had challenged all journalists on what legacy to have for posterity.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, described late Friday Nwinudee as an excellent and prolific writer who will be missed by his people, adding that his contributions to the development of his society would not be forgotten.

The former deputy speaker in the House, Hon. Charles Befii sympathised with the family, and remarked that the death Friday Nwinudee had again brought into focus the vanity of life.

Former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State and member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ogbonna Nwuke said the deceased was an astute writer who set out to revolutionalise the society, adding that Nwinudee gave very positive direction to journalists as secretary of the NUJ.

Prince Nwuke promised to support the family of the deceased and fund the education of the two daughters of Nwinudee.

Alphaeus Paul-Worika