‘I’ll do my best to immortalize late NUJ President, Iwuoha’ – Wife

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Widow of the departed former President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha, Mrs Esther Badanga Letshat Iwuoha, has described the late journalist as a perfect family man who led a Christian life, vowing to do everything possible to immortalize him.

Esther who spoke when the Chairman of Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Victor Ndukwe, on Tuesday, led some members of the Council on a visit to the family of their former leader at their residence in Umuahia Tuesday, said though she remained deeply shocked by the sudden exit of her amiable husband, she was consoled that Comrade Iwuoha was resting with his Maker on account of his godly life.

Amidst uncontrollable sobs, she said: “Bonnie Iwuoha is my hero. He does not take what does not belong to him. I am sure he is with his make. He was full of jokes and never hesitated to say sorry. In my next life, if there is anything like that, I will still marry him as my husband.

He was a loving husband and a caring father. He never joked with his family, he was always talking about his children, even on his sick bed. He was a good man. I will do everything possible to immortalize him,” she said.

In his remarks, the Abia NUJ Chairman, Comrade Ndukwe, said the visit was to confirm the sad news that Comrade Iwuoha was no more since the news came as a rumour.

Ndukwe urge her to be consoled by the fact that her husband lived a good life and endeared himself to all who came in contact with him.

He urged her to be strong, assuring that the NUJ family would stand by the late Iwuoha’s family in their moment of grief.

The Chairman later signed the Condolence Register opened in the name of the departed NUJ leader at his residence.

The Chairman also led members of the Council on a condolence visit to the family Wednesday, after the Monthly Congress of the Council. He said the visit was to assure the family that the NUJ family would be with them to give them the needed support in this their trying time.

During the visit, the Council condoled with and prayed for the family, as well as for the repose of the gentle soul of her departed leader.

Iwuoha who was sick briefly died in Umuahia, last Monday evening.

The widow said he suffered a strange stomach disorder suspected to have resulted from food poisoning, adding that several laboratory tests conducted on him returned negative and that he was later treated of malaria and discharged.

Iwuoha’s younger sister, Stella, who nursed him during his illness, said the former NUJ leader was sick for about two months and had recovered.

Stella said she was with Comrade Iwuoha until Saturday and that he was doing well when she went back to Aba.  “When I called him on phone on Monday,” Stella continued, “he said that he did not sleep well in the night and that he suspected it was malaria, so I decided to return to Umuahia.

“By the time I came back, his condition was rather critical so I took him to hospital and d by about 2.30 p.m., he passed on,’’ Stella said in tears.

Meanwhile, the Abia NUJ has also opened a condolence register in the name of the late Comrade Iwuoha at the NUJ Press Centre on Plot 1 Aba Road, Umuahia, just as the national body of the union has declared three days of mourning for the dynamic, legendary Iwuoha who was President of NUJ from 1996 to 1997. 

In a statement in Abuja, entitled “NUJ Mourns a Leader,” National President of the NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, described the late Iwuohan asn a very committed member of the union. The statement reads: “Nigeria Union of Journalists mourns the death of one of its past leaders, MR BONNIE IWOUHA. He died yesterday (Monday, December 20, 2021) evening in Umuahia, Abia State.

“A Preacher and Minister of the Gospel, Mr Iwouha served as National President of the Union from 1996-1997.

“He was a former Managing Editor/Head of Editorial Department, Daily Times of Nigeria, 1991-93, Media Adviser to the Governor of Abia State and Abia State Commissioner of Information.

“A very committed member of the NUJ, Mr Bonnie Iwuoha had been very passionate about the Union and journalism and he dedicated his time and energy towards building a better Union and enhancing the practice of the profession.

“In 2003, he participated as member of the NUJ National Registration Council together with the late Prince Tony Momoh and others, to produce the first ever Compendium of Journalists in Nigeria.

“The Union has directed all the 36 State Councils and the FCT to open Condolence Registers in the name of the deceased leader while a 3-day mourning period has been declared by the Union from Tuesday, December 28-Thursday, December 30, 2021.

“We extend our condolences to his immediate family and to the journalism fraternity and pray that God Almighty will ease the pains of his sudden departure.”

Similarly, Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has mourned the death of Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha who was his pioneer Commissioner for Information in 2015.

Ikpeazu, in a statement endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, said he was deepley saddened and shocked by the sudden death of Iwuoha.

The statement titled; “Ikpeazu shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the death of Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha,” read:

“The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has expressed profound shock and deep sadness at the news of the death of Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha yesterday.

The late Comrade Iwuoha was part of the inaugural State Executive Council put together by the Ikpeazu administration in 2015 where he served as Commissioner for Information.

“Governor Ikpeazu describes the now late Comrade Iwuoha as “a very professional journalist whose marks in the profession remain indelible. Bonnie was a gentleman of the first grade and a fantastic team player. He was soft spoken, patient and highly experienced in Information management. Bonnie was, most importantly, a practicing Christian who always put God first in all his dealings. Despite his great marks in the journalism profession, he remained very humble and calm. “

“As a former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bonnie was well grounded in the business of journalism and had all requisite and necessary contacts which he always placed at our disposal when needed. Even after leaving office as Commissioner for Information, he remained part and parcel of our administration. His death is indeed very sad”.

“The Governor urges members of his family, his professional colleagues as well as friends and relatives of the Late Comrade Iwuoha to accept the reality of the situation since death remains one of those inescapable destinies of all mortal men.

“The Governor prays the Almighty God to grant his gentle soul eternal rest and console his family.”