Abiodun, Oyetola mourn as family confirms death of Nigerian NewsDirect publisher, Samuel Ibiyemi
The publisher of Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi, is dead.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that his death was officially confirmed and announced in a statement on Tuesday by his wife and children.
According to the family, Ibiyemi died at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan-Remo, in Ogun State, after a brief illness. He was aged 54.
The family noted that apart from being a thoroughbred journalist, Ibiyemi also planted Great Grace Apostolic Church, Gasline, Sango-Ota about four years ago and was the presiding minister until he breathed his last.
The family said they “thought that a beautiful and loving soul that the Great Ife Prince was, would be with us for a long while.”
“Dr Ibiyemi was a thoroughbred journalist, a servant of God and had even started out in life as a soldier with the Nigerian Air Force before veering into journalism.
“He established Nigerian NewsDirect about 13 years ago and the paper has continued to be one of the leading newspapers in the country, contributing to the expansion of the socio-economic development of the nation.
“Aside from being a loving father and very caring boss to his staff and younger colleagues, Ibiyemi was humility personified and a cheerful giver.
“He was, no doubt, a colossus of some sort, who bestrode the media world during his lifetime,” the statement partly read.
Ibiyemi’s policies immense and indelible – Gov Dapo Abiodun
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has described Ibiyemi’s death as shocking.
In a condolence message to his family and media colleagues, Abiodun described Dr. Ibiyemi as a brilliant and versatile journalist, who deployed his wealth of experience in the profession to better the society.
He said the late publisher was a stickler for the truth, noting that through his medium, he contributed his own quota to the economic and political development of Nigeria.
“He was quick to realise the business aspect of journalism, hence, his foray into publishing. Through NewsDirect, a refreshing newspaper, Dr. Ibiyemi brought to bear his professionalism and business acumen.
“His death is a huge loss to his family and the journalism profession. His legacies are immense and indelible.
“We in Ogun State will miss this quintessential and courageous journalist of no mean repute. It is my prayer that God grant him eternal rest,” the governor said.
He lived a life worthy of emulation – Ex-Gov Oyetola
In his reaction, former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola said the media industry and the people of Osun would sorely miss Ibiyemi.
Oyetola, who, in a personally signed message, disclosed that he received the news of Ibiyemi’s death with a rude shock, added that the deceased was a complete gentleman who served God and humanity.
In his word, “The news of the death of Dr Ibiyemi came to us as a rude shock. He was a refined person with exceptional virtues, a gentleman to the core whose imprints not only in the media profession but in other aspects of life would remain indelible in the minds of all those that may have encountered him.
“As a humility personified, late Ibiyemi’s humbleness and cheerfulness can never be quantified as the deceased was known for his outstanding human relations.
“As a strong believer, death is inevitable to every mortal, but I believe strongly that the deceased would find the desired place in heaven in reciprocation of his good deeds while in this world.
“Though his death is painful and unexpected, we must take solace in the fact that he lived a life worthy of emulation, and we pray God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”
Oyetola expressed his heartfelt condolences to the spouse and children of the deceased, praying to God to uphold the entire members of the family and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
