ABUJA – The FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello has paid tribute to the immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Chapter, Comrade Chuks Ehirim who died early Thursday morning in Garki Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness.
The Minister in a condolence letter addressed to the Chairman of Abuja Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists delivered by a high-powered delegation led by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Abubakar Sani, described late Ehirim as a thorough bred journalist who practiced the profession in line with its ethics; saying, the late journalist left positive imprints, which will make
his memory linger for many years to come.
According to him, from the information he has gathered about the late Ehirim, he was really an exceptional professional who always stood for the truth and objectivity in the discharge of his duties as a journalist.
While praying that God Almighty grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss, the Minister also expressed his condolence to the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Abuja Council for this great loss.
Bello stated that there are valuable lessons to be learnt fromthe life of Comrade Ehirim, stressing that humility, hard work, honesty and integrity were his guiding principles.
Receiving the delegation, the Chairman of the NUJ, Abuja Council, Mr. Paul Ella Abechi appreciated the FCT Minister’s gesture; noting that this is the first high level delegation to come officially to
commiserate with the Union at the death of its former Chairman which has shown that the Minister is indeed a friend of the media.
The Chairman promised to forward the Minister’s message to the family of Late Ehirim as well as the entire NUJ family.
The delegation includes Muhammad Hazat Sule, Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary, FCT and some officials of the FCT Administration.
Also, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun has condoled with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death of Mr. Chuks Ehirim, the immediate past chairman of the Abuja chapter of the NUJ.
Odigie-Oyegun in a condolence letter to the National President of the NUJ, Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile prayed that the Almighty God gives the soul of the late Chuks Ehirim eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain.
The letter reads:
“On behalf of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), may I express my heartfelt condolences on the shocking death of the immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja chapter, Mr. Chuks Ehirim who passed away on his 50th birthday, Thursday, June 16, 2016 in Abuja.
“It is terrible to hear about the sudden death when we thought he was recovering from his ailment. May the Almighty God give the soul of the late Chuks Ehirim eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain.
“I also take this opportunity to express my sympathy to the NUJ and the management and staff of The Niche Newspapers, his last employer.
“The late Chuks Ehirim was one of the first persons I interacted with soon after I became National Chairman of the APC and I found him most knowledgeable, professional and a man who believed in the unity and potentials for greatness of our nation.
“I also recall, with satisfaction, the late Chuks Ehirim years of meritorious and unblemished record of service in the media profession. He went on to lead the Abuja Chapter of the NUJ between 2012 and 2015 from where he passionately advocated for the rights, welfare and security of journalists in Nigeria.
“Indeed, the journalism profession has lost an illustrious son. Nationally, the late Chuks Ehirim used the journalism profession and activism to propagate progressive and democratic ideals in the country.
“As we mourn the loss of the late Chuks Ehirim, I am with you in thoughts and prayers. May his soul rest in peace. Adieu Chuks Ehirim.”
