President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of Peter Onwubuariri, an Assistant Director of Media at the Presidential Villa, who died in Kano after a prolonged illness.
Onwubuariri, a veteran journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria, died on Monday at the age of 48, according to his wife, Catherine Ezinna Onwubuariri.
He reportedly spent about a month receiving treatment at the Kano Cancer Hospital under the state government’s treatment authorisation.
His remains were released from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Tuesday for burial in Owerri, Imo State.
The corpse was handed over to Oche Egwa, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, on behalf of the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The handover was conducted at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital by Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, spokesperson for Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf.
In a condolence statement issued on Tuesday by Onanuga, Tinubu described Onwubuariri’s death as a painful loss to the Presidency, NAN, the media community and Nigeria.
The President praised the deceased for his professionalism, dedication and commitment to public service, noting that he served in the media teams of three successive administrations.
Onwubuariri was posted to the Presidential Villa in 2014 after rising through the ranks at NAN. He subsequently worked under the administrations of Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu.
The President noted that the journalist covered several critical national and international issues during his career, including foreign affairs, telecommunications, politics and finance.
Tinubu said Onwubuariri’s calm disposition and professional conduct earned him the respect of colleagues and associates.
“Peter was a dedicated journalist and a committed public servant whose professionalism and calm disposition earned him the respect of his colleagues and associates.
“His years of service to three administrations are a testament to his competence, integrity and commitment to duty,” the President said.
Tinubu added that the journalist’s death was a major loss to the Presidential Villa, the media fraternity and the country.
“He will be remembered for his diligence, his wealth of experience and his contributions to journalism and national service,” he said.
The President extended his condolences to Onwubuariri’s wife, three children, extended family, colleagues and friends.
He prayed that God would give the family the strength to bear the loss and grant the deceased eternal rest.
Before his posting to the Presidential Villa, Onwubuariri had built a career at NAN, where he rose to the position of Assistant Editor-in-Chief and contributed to the agency’s journalism and editorial operations.