President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday sent a condolence message to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death of one of its members, Waheed Bakare.
Bakare, who was the New Telegraph Saturday Editor, died on Sunday after a brief illness he battled for two weeks. Before joining New Telegraph, he was the pioneer editor of The Punch metro.
Mr Buhari, in a statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said the death of Bakare is a “collective loss to the media and the nation as the deceased served passionately with his talent.”
He also sent condolences to Mr Bakare’s family and prayed that his soul rests in peace.
In the same vein, Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola in a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, said Mr Bakare’s death was a shock as he was “hardworking, talented, cerebral and an accomplished journalist, noting that he would be sorely missed by the media community.
“I received with great shock the passing of Alhaji Waheed Bakare, Editor, Saturday New Telegraph. His death is not only a loss to his family, but also to the journalism profession. As people who believe in God, we should take it in good faith and give gratitude to God that the late journalist ran a good race and gave a good account of himself as a newsroom leader and gatekeeper.
“As a professional and a devout Muslim, Bakare showed class in the discharge of his responsibilities. My deep condolences go to the entire family, the New Telegraph management as well as the entire journalists in Nigeria. He will be sorely missed. I pray to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanah Firdaus. I also pray Allah to comfort his bereaved family and loved ones,” the governor said.
