Igwe, 58, died after he was knocked down by a hit- and-run driver while jogging around his Okota-Lagos home in the early hours of Saturday, September 6, 2014.
In his condolence letter titled: “A death too many, too painful” and addressed to Mr. Femi Adesina, Managing Director of The Sun Newspapers, the royal father said: “We look forward to the long arm of the law to catch up with the mindless criminals who master-minded his untimely death.
“The death of Dimgba Igwe came at a time that the nation could ill afford it. His death was one too many and too painful to bear. He was a level headed, sophisticated and knowledgeable journalist, who breathed a fresh breath of life into the newspaper industry and redefined the goal, style and functions of the newspaper press.”
Oba Adeyemi said, Igwe with his twin brother, Mike Awoyinfa provided leadership on how the press could be a major agent of social and political change by moulding public opinion towards positive ideals and setting pragmatic agenda for the society.
“Dimgba Igwe was a gentleman in every sense of it and was completely devoted to excellence at work and in life. Please accept the condolence of the royal stool and kindly extend this to the immediate family and colleagues of the departed hero of forthright journalism.”
The traditional ruler further stated: “ My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you and with The Sun Publishing Company Limited at this time. May the good Lord grant you grace and fortitude to go through this with courage in the belief that God gives and takes life as He pleases.”
Meanwhile, The Sun corporate head office, Lagos yesterday played host to the “Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo” Lagos State branch, who came on a condolence visit. The team was led by its president, Fabian Onwughalu.
Describing the late Igwe as a dear brother whom the Igbo treasured so much, the Igbo leader said the pain was one shared by the whole of the Igbo nation, adding: “Whatever concerns Daily Sun concerns the whole of Igbo nation because we hold it tenaciously as our own newspaper.”
He described The Sun titles as the favourite delight of all Igbo. “And that is why you hardly find a house in the Igbo nation –both home and abroad that does not read Daily Sun daily.
“So, this loss is a loss to all Igbo. In fact, we’re short of words. We have visited the family house, but we felt that it’s not complete if we do not come and commiserate with his colleagues.
“Our prayer is that God will provide a messiah that will fill up that gap. We pray that God will give you the courage and the fortitude to bear the loss.”
During the visit, Onwughalu announced that the annual Igbo Day celebration would hold on September 29 in Lagos. According to him, the festival is meant to commemorate the end of the Biafran war as well as the survival of the Igbo nation.
Among the Igbo royal fathers in Lagos that visited were; Eze John C. Nwosu, Ezigbo Mushin; Eze Leo Okafor, Ezeigbo Agbado-Oke-Odo; Eze Leonard Anyayochukwu Agha (JP), Ezeigbo Shomolu – Bariga as well as Eze Anthony C. Njoku, Ezeigbo Agbado-Oke-Ado and Eze Martins Okoro EzeIgbo of Ejigbo.
In his response, Managing Director/ Editor-In-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina on behalf of the board, management and staff of The Sun thanked the Igbo leaders for coming around as well as sharing in the company’s grief.
His words: “This is a very big honour, we have the royal fathers, we have the president of Ohanaeze here. We are delighted; we are quite pleased with you. We are very honoured that you have decided to come.”
Adesina, who is the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, stated that Igwe’s demise had greatly impacted not only on The Sun family, but on journalism industry as a whole.
“The President spoke about Mr. Dimgba Igwe leaving very big shoes. He got it very right. Very, very right; not only in The Sun, but in Nigerian journalism as a whole. The industry has felt the impact of his exit, we wonder when another of his type will ever come. So, we thank you very much for coming to sympathise with us.”
He assured Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo of The Sun Newspapers’ maximum participation in the forthcoming Igbo Day. “You can count on us that on September 29, we’ll be fully there with you.”
Copyright Society of Nigeria
Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji described Igwe’s death as a disheartening news to hear.
“Please accept my sympathy to you and the entire family of The Sun Newspapers on behalf of COSON. Mr. Dimgba Igwe was a distinguished journalist whose contributions to the Nigerian nation will be greatly missed.”
Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture
The chamber, through its President, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye and Director-General, Emeka Okereke conveyed its condolences to the management and staff of The Sun Newspapers on the death of Igwe.
“Death indeed awaits all mortals, but the circumstances of Igwe’s death through a hit- and-run driver is most uncharitable, mindless, savagery and unfortunate.
“There is no doubt that the late Igwe left his footprints in the sands of time through his journalistic exploits and evangelical devotion to win souls for Christ.
The Bible Society of Nigeria
On behalf of its patron, General Yakubu Gowon, board, management and staff, the society wrote in its letter of condolence: “ This, indeed is a great loss to the journalism profession in Nigeria and particularly The Sun Publishing Limited. It is also a great loss to us as a family of The Bible Society of Nigeria.
“We identify with you in this challenging period, I pray that God will give you and the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Stalcon Global Links Ltd.
Elder Ifeanyi Okeke, Managing Director of Stalcon Global Links on behalf of the company wrote in its condolence message: “With heavy heart, I console you and The Sun Management team on the unexpected death of your vice chairman, Pastor Dimgba Igwe, may his soul rest in peace.
Omega Family Ministries International
Evangelist Basil Tochukwu, a senior pastor of the ministry, who led a group of members of the ministry, expressed sadness over the untimely departure of The Sun’s veteran columnist. The evangelist, who prayed against reoccurrence of such in the company, described the late Igwe as a good journalist and a good man.
“We condole with you at a time like this and pray that such cruel death will not befall this organisation again in Jesus Mighty Name. It is well with The Sun.”
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May Igwe’s death not be in vain – Alaafin |
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