Uzodimma , Sanwo-Olu mourn publisher of Hallmark Newspapers, Emeka Obasi
*Emeka Obasi’s death shocking, sad, says Uzodimma
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Imo State counterpart, Sen Hope Uzodimma have described the death of a veteran journalist and Publisher of Hallmark Newspaper, Prince Emeka Obasi, as a colossal loss to the media industry and the country as a whole.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday said the exit of the former Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy is painful and heartbreaking, considering his impact in the journalism profession.
Prince Obasi, an award-winning journalist and publisher, who battled a medical condition over the past few years, died on Tuesday at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos at 58.
Sanwo-Olu urged the deceased family, especially his widow, Dr. Betty Obasi; as well as friends, colleagues and associates of Prince Emeka Obasi to take solace in God and the fact the deceased lived a good life.
The Governor also commiserated with the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the demise of the Publisher of Hallmark Newspapers.
He said: “The death of Prince Emeka Obasi is a great loss to the media industry and he will be greatly missed. He made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria as well as politics at the state and federal level.
“Obasi’s landmark achievements in the media industry are unprecedented as he managed several newspapers, among which are National Mirror, Hallmark and Business Hallmark, thereby providing job opportunities for hundreds of people, especially journalists in different parts of the country.
“He also contributed his quota to governance in Abia State by serving as Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
“I sympathise with his family, friends, business, associates, and entire media practitioners in Nigeria. I pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Governor Uzodimma expressed shock and sadness over news of the passing of the Publisher of Business Hallmark newspaper, Prince Emeka Obasi.
Obasi reportedly died on March 15, 2022 at a Lagos hospital according to his family. He was 58.
In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor said Prince Emeka Obasi was a thorough-bred media practitioner who devoted his time, energy, intellect and resources for the advancement of the media profession in Nigeria.
The Governor recalled that early in life Prince Obasi took to journalism practice and was to found Hallmark group of newspapers and later the National Mirror newspaper when he rested the Hallmark.
He said Prince Obasi’s love for the media continued and drove him to repackage the old Hallmark as Business Hallmark after he sold the National Mirror.
The Governor said apart from Prince Obasi’s media engagements, he was also involved in other activities that helped to shape the image of the Nigerian society.
For instance, Prince Obasi founded the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), as a vehicle to confer the Zik’s Prize for Leadership recognition on deserving Nigerians.
Governor Uzodimma regretted that Prince Obasi, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State during the return to civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999 died when his services were needed most, both in his media constituency and the society at large.
He commiserated with the widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Obasi, the children, friends, associates and well-wishers over the passing of their loved one and encouraged them to find solace in the fact that Prince Obasi led a fulfilled life in God and contributed his quota for the good of mankind when he was alive.
Governor Uzodimma also prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased a peaceful repose and to the people he left to mourn him, the fortitude to bear the loss.
