Nwinudee, The Tide Editor Interred Amidst Encomiums

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
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 collague 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 leave 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 of 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.