Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of Assistant Director of Media at the Presidential Villa, Peter Onwubuariri, describing the veteran journalist as a dedicated public servant whose contributions to journalism and national service would be remembered.
Onwubuariri, a staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria and former North American correspondent of the agency, died in Kano at the age of 48 after a prolonged illness, according to his wife, Catherine Ezinna Onwubuariri.
He died on Monday after undergoing treatment for about a month at the Kano Cancer Hospital and was released from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Tuesday for burial in Owerri, Imo State.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the journalist’s death as a painful loss to the Presidency, NAN, the media community and the country.
Onwubuariri was posted to the Presidential Villa in 2014 and served in the media teams of three administrations under former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as President Tinubu.
The President noted that the late journalist covered several important national and international issues during his career, including foreign affairs, telecommunications, politics and finance.
“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.
“His passing is a great loss to the Presidential Villa, the media fraternity and Nigeria. He will be remembered for his diligence, his wealth of experience and his contributions to journalism and national service,” Tinubu said.
The President also commended Onwubuariri’s professionalism, dedication and commitment to duty throughout his years of service.
Tinubu extended his condolences to the deceased’s wife, Catherine, their three children, other family members, colleagues and friends, praying for strength for the family and eternal rest for the late journalist.
Before his posting to the Presidential Villa, Onwubuariri rose through the ranks at NAN and served as an Assistant Editor-in-Chief, contributing significantly to the agency’s editorial and journalism operations.
His remains were handed over at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital to Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, Oche Egwa, on behalf of Onanuga.
