Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, Tuesday condoled with the management and staff of New Telegraph Newspapers on the untimely death of their Saturday editor, Mr. Waheed Bakare.
The governor, in a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr. Kunle Somorin, expressed shock at the news of the death of the editor on Sunday, May 24, describing him as “a steadfast and pious Muslim.”
His words, “May I also extend condolences to members of his immediate family, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) on the passage of this humble, high-flying and thoroughbred journalist.
“Mr. Bakare was a role model and shining patriot who left his footprints in the sand of time in the service of our fatherland through journalism practice. Not only was he a sagacious, he was a responsible manager of men and resources and that accounted for his near-meteoric rise to the status of an editor since he graduated from the University of Ilorin in 1997”, the governor said.
He also described the late editor as a consummate man of ideas, whose contributions, selfless service and humility, would be sorely missed by all that came in contact with him.
Governor Abiodun noted that Bakare’s mobilisational skills, high morality, network and contributions on national discourse via the pages of The Comet, Punch and New Telegraph and national TV would be sorely missed.
“But as a Christian, I believe that the Almighty destined Mr. Bakare to impact his generation the way he did. I pray that the Almighty God will in His infinite mercy grant all of us that are associated with him – colleagues and associate, as well as the immediate family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and pray Almighty Allah to forgive his sins and grant his soul eternal repose”, the governor said.
