The President of Women Fellowship of the church, Mrs Chinyere Ibekwe, said the late journalism icon still had a lot of uncompleted assignments which he must come back to complete.
She lamented that it was the late Dimgba that God used to stabilise her and established her in the Christian faith over 19 years ago, saying as a Sunday school teacher in the church and president of the women fellowship, she would forever be grateful for the role Igwe played in her Christian life.
“He had no hidden agenda. I am one of his disciples. We are still praying that God will bring him back to life because we cannot come to terms that he is dead. He is grounded in the word of God,” she said.
Another member of the church, Deaconess Cordy Ejiogwu, said: “He has to come back. That he is in the mortuary is not acceptable. When he was teaching us in the church last week, he said he has not finished the topic he was treating and that he will continue next week during the elders’ meeting. He has not finished that, so he has to come back.”
The General Overseer of the church, Major General (Pastor) Paul Toun said the church was still praying and wishing that God will still bring him back “but since nobody can query God, we will abide by whatever He does since He is our Maker and knows all things,” he added.
According to him, there were a lot of uncompleted projects and things Igwe has not finished, saying his four children were still in school, there were books yet to be published, sermons yet to be preached and church members yet to be fully trained.
“Certainly, nobody can feel the vacuum he has created; neither in the church, nor in journalism in the country. Or who will start writing the SideView column and present it the way Dimgba Igwe will present it.
“He had a very strong analytical mind and does not mind whose ox is gored when it comes to saying the truth. In fact, we are yet to recover from the shock,” he explained.
He noted that the late editor was a founding member of the church and was the church secretary for so many years before he became the deputy general overseer about six years ago when the leadership of the church changed and he (Toun) became the general overseer of the church.
Segun Oni
Former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, who said the death of Pastor Igwe was shocking and devastating, described the deceased in a statement by his media office as a consummate professional and a columnist of repute whose writings he had been following since his days in the National Concord.
The former governor, who is the deputy chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said: “I am particularly moved by the circumstances of his death, which is painful and heart shattering. I have been an admirer of Dimgba for decades and fascinated by the uncommon relationship and exceptional understanding that existed between him and Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, his colleague and bosom friend,” Oni stated.
Ohanaeze
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos chapter, also expressed shocks over the sudden death of Pastor Dimgba Igwe.The President of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chief Fabian Onwughalu, described his death as unfortunate and noted that Igwe was very outstanding in the journalism profession.
“We should take solace in the fact that he died a fulfilled man in his chosen endeavour, having left an indelible mark in the media landscape. He was one of the few icons in the pen profession and his demise has robbed the journalism in the country one of its best.”
Aremu
Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Mr. Issa Aremu, has described the late vice chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, as epitome of dignity of labour.
In a statement issued yesterday by Aremu, he said the news of the death of Igwe was shocking, adding that his death raised the issue of reckless and murderous driving attitude on the nation’s roads.
“His death is a great loss to all those who live on their sweat and labour.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) needs to identify and apprehend killer drivers for prosecution. Lastly, we need road safety literacy and inculcation of respect for all road users including pedestrians.”
GOS
Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, a frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State said the brand of journalism practiced
by Igwe, was such that would make him live long in the memory of many Nigerians and beyond the country.
The Senate minority whip, in a statement by his campaign office on Monday, expressed shock over the death of Igwe, who he described as “an exemplary journalism icon, who would not mince words in communicating facts and standing by the truth through his educative and informative weekly column.”
According to the grassroots politician: “I was out of the country when the news of
Etiaba
Former governor of Anambra State, Virgy Etiaba, also described the deceased as one of the best in the journalism industry in the country.
“I have known and followed Dimgba’s brand of practice for a number of years and I had always prayed that Nigerian journalists imbibed the discipline, honesty and hard work that he was known for.
“Dimgba was an inspiration to his people in Igbere, and that I know because I once honoured his invitation in his village,” she said.
SON, Julius Berger, Amnesty Office
The Public Affairs Advisor to a construction firm, Julius Berger, Mr. Clement Iloba and his wife, who also visited The Sun office to register their concern for the organisation over the incident, expressed deep grief for the manner Igwe met his death in a most painful manner.
Iloba said Igwe was his course mate at the journalism institute and noted: “On graduation, while he went to work with the Concord Press, I joined the Daily Times. I knew him all these years as a dedicated professional, and our consolation is that he has gone to be with the Lord.”
Also on Monday, the Head of Media and Public Affairs of the Niger Delta Amnesty Office, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, came with members of the department for condolence visit.
While signing the condolence register on behalf of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Head of the Niger Delta Amnesty Office, Kingsley Kuku, he said the demise of Igwe “came as a rude shock. He is one of the most respected and forthright journalists Nigeria ever had, and his memory will linger forever because of what he achieved in the media.
Former member of the House of Representatives, Nnanna Uzor Kalu, also condoled with The Sun over the death of Igwe.
He said: “On behalf of myself and the management of NUK Nigeria Limited, I express my condolences and commiserate with The Sun Newspapers over the untimely death of Pastor Dimgba Igwe. He is one of the most respected journalists and a role model in the media profession.”
Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, in a condolence letter said: “Mr. Igwe’s name was synonymous with journalistic excellence in Nigeria, a reputation that was earned through dint of hard work and dedication. His pioneering efforts in setting up the Weekend Concord Newspaper and subsequently, The Sun Newspapers are veritable landmarks.”
ADELEKE
The first civilian governor of Osun Sate, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, described the death of Igwe as a great loss to the entire nation, calling on the police to fish out his killer in the interest of justice.
Adeleke said he received the news of his death with rude shock and disbelief.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affiars, Mr. Olumide Lawal, Adeleke commiserated with the Chairman of The Sun, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the management and the entire staff of the newspaper company on the loss of Igwe.
Adeleke who said he was yet to come to terms with the reality of the death, described the deceased as one of the finest brains in journalism profession.
He said Igwe practiced journalism with dedication, commitment, zeal and passion, adding that the deceased had an untainted record in the profession throughout his lifetime.
Ngige
Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District and former governor of the state, Chris Ngige, expressed shock upon receiving the news of the death of Igwe, saying his demise will be greatly felt in Nigeria and beyond.
He said words failed him as he came to term with the reality of the loss of the media guru. He commended the deceased’s contributions to national development, using sarcasm and pun to pass across his message to the readers.
Senator Ngige consoled The Sun Group, urging the chairman to show great strength and take solace in the Lord as the company mourned Igwe. He said the company should dwell on the fact that Igwe, with his editorial proficiency, left a footprint in the profession.
Adeniyi
Former managing director of Daily Times of Nigeria, Chief Tola Adeniyi, said in terse message that devastating was an understatement to describe the death of Igwe, adding that Africa had lost one of the brightest and greatest minds.
“You shall all find comfort in the Lord while Dimgba continues his journey in the Continuum,” he said.
Abogunrin FemiAlso commiserating with Dimgba’s family, the Asiwaju of Omido in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Abogunrin Femi, expressed shock on the tragic exit of Igwe, describing his death as a great loss to the nation’s media industry.
Seriake Dickson
Bayelsa State Government also expressed shock over the sudden demise of Mr. Dimgba Igwe, describing his death as a tragic loss not only to his immediate family, but the entire country.
Making this known in a condolence letter to the management of The Sun Publishing Limited, the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, said Igwe would be remembered for his unbiased and constructive criticisms, which had assisted in strengthening the nation’s democratic rule.
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‘He must come back’ |
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