Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has expressed condolences on the death of the former Chief Press Secretary to ex-military Head of State, Ibrahim Babaginda, Chief Duro Onabule who passed on yesterday, aged 83 years.
Dr Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Onabule’s death as exit of a great Nigerian who was passionate about the Nigerian nation as well as the journalism profession.
The Governor described the late Onabule as a frontline journalist who made positive contribution to the development of the media industry and a presidential spokesman who brought glamour to the office of Chief Press Secretary.
Dr Fayemi said the London School of Journalism-trained veteran was a source of inspiration to many journalists as well as readers of his very insightful columns on public discourse.
Commiserating with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the management of the Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA) the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) stated that Onabule’s death is a great loss to the upcoming generation of journalists who could have learnt a lot from him.
“Chief Duro Onabule was a great and patriotic Nigerian who rose to national prominence through his journalistic work as a celebrated Editor of the now rested National Concord and later as CPS to ex- President Ibrahim Babaginda.
” Chief Onabule as a journalist and public affairs commentator spoke truth to power through his illuminating writings.
“Having trained at the popular London School of Journalism, one could not expect less than the professionalism which Onabule plied his trade in the media industry. His professionalism, diligence and hard work took him to the very top in his field, serving the former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda (rtd) as Chief Press Secretary and later Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) after many other positions in the media industry.”
” On behalf of my wife and the Government and people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the family of Chief Duro Onabule and the government and people of Ogun State. There is no doubt, we shall miss his amiable personality and insightful analyses. May God grant him eternal rest and comfort his family. “, Fayemi said.