The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday joined the media industry in mourning the death of the Editor of Saturday New Telegraph, Mr Waheed Bakare.
A State House statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said Buhari condoled with the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigeria Guild of Editors in particular, over the incident.
“The President sends condolences to family of the deceased, and management of New Telegraph Newspapers, describing the editor’s death as a collective loss to the media and the nation that he served passionately with his talent,” the Presidency said.
It added that Buhari “prays that God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort all that mourn him.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, described Bakare’s passing as a sad loss.
Gbajabiamila commiserated with the late journalist’s family, the entire management and staff of the New Telegraph Newspaper over the loss.
The Speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the soul of Waheed Bakare a good resting place.
Bakare, who died on Sunday was buried on Monday according to Islamic injunction.
Bakare had died on Sunday after a brief illness.
Also, the Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has described Bakare’s death as devastating and a great loss.
In a condolence message signed by Chief Press Secretary to Osun Governor, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola said late Bakare was a hardworking, talented, cerebral and an accomplished journalist, noting that he would be sorely missed by the media community.
The governor then commiserated with Bakare’s family, friends, colleagues, the Journalists’ Hangout family and the management of The NewTelegraph Newspapers over the demise of the late editor.
The statement read, “I received with great shock the passing of Alhaji Waheed Bakare, Editor, Saturday New Telegraph. His death is not only a loss to his family, but also to the journalism profession.
“As people who believe in God, we should take it in good faith and give gratitude to God that the late journalist ran a good race and gave a good account of himself as a newsroom leader and gatekeeper.
“As a professional and a devout Muslim, Bakare showed class in the discharge of his responsibilities. My deep condolences go to the entire family, the New Telegraph management as well as the entire journalists in Nigeria. He will be sorely missed.”
