Media
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Chapter has declared one-week mourning for Mr Uwakwe Abugu, the late Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi,.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Abugu, who was appointed Chief Press Secretary by Ugwuanyi in 2015, died on June 4 in a hospital in India, after a protracted illness.
Before the appointment, he was the South-East Bureau Chief of New Telegraph Newspaper.
Abugu’s corpse arrived at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on Saturday about 1.30 pm aboard Ethiopian Airline.
Addressing Journalists shortly after the state Chairman of the NUJ, Mr Rex Arum, said that the mourning would last from June 9 to June 15.
Arum said that during the weeklong mourning, NUJ members were expected to wear black-hand bands to serve as an evidence for the period.
“Today is not a speech making day rather a sorrowful day for us in the family of NUJ as we received the remains of our own.
“I thank all that left their schedule to see that we receive our brother and colleague in our large numbers.
“We commiserate with Enugu State Government especially Gov. Ugwuanyi who have lost a very close ally.
“We also commiserate with his immediate family for the irreparable loss,’’ he said.
The chairman said that the council had opened a condolence register at the NUJ Press Centre on Rangers Avenue, Enugu.
NAN reports that over journalists from various media houses as well as some members of the state Executive Council and top government officials in the state trooped out en mass to receive the remains of Abugu.
Abugu’s corpse has been deposited at the Mortuary of Army Divisional Hospital at 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu; while further information concerning his burial would be communicated to the public by his family and the state government. (NAN)
