The remains of Dr. Leon Usigbe, the late Abuja Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, were on Saturday laid to rest at his residence in Karshi, Abuja, amid tears and wailing.

Dr. Usigbe, an accomplished and renowned journalist, passed on to glory on July 25 2025, 2025, after a brief illness. Until his death, Usigbe was the State House Correspondent of Nigerian Tribune newspapers.

His body was lowered to Mother Earth at exactly 12:40 pm shortly after the funeral mass held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Karshi, Abuja, officiated by Rev. Fr. David Osagie Akahomhen.

The atmosphere was sombre at his residence. At his graveside, tears rolled down faces of both immediate family members and other mourners, expressing anguish over a great loss.

Staff of Abuja Bureau of Nigerian Tribune, State House Correspondents, as well as editors from various media houses in Abuja, and parish members were on hand to pay their last respect to Dr. Leon Usigbe.

Before the commencement of the requiem mass, the body was reverently placed by the pallbearers at the entrance of the Church to be received by the priest with the ministers bearing the cross, lighted candles, holy water, the Holy Bible, and a white pall as symbols of faith and eternal life.

Presiding over the requiem mass, Rev. Fr. Akahomhen, preaching from Wisdom 4:7-15, Romans 8:14-23, first and second readings respectively, hailed the late Usigbe as a man who lived a life of impact.

Osagie, who described Usigbe’s death as sudden, said he was a man known for offering support to the church and for helping those around him to shine, also hailed him as a committed family man.

He cited an example when kidnappers attacked his home while he was away in the US, he took steps from abroad to secure his family.

According to Osagie, when Dr. Usigbe came, fear disappeared from his family.

The Reverend described the late Usigbe as a man of courage to the very end. He read the text message that the late Usigbe sent to him, which read: “Please Father, don’t worry about me, I have lived a good life.”

Osagie called friends and associates of late Usigbe not to forsake and abandon his family after the burial.

Speaking on behalf of the management of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, the Acting Abuja Bureau Chief, Mr. Segun Olatunji, described the late Usigbe as a dedicated and thorough-bred professional who distinguished himself in his career and as the State House Correspondent of the Organization.

He conveyed the sympathy of the management and prayed that God should give the family fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging the family to take solace in the fact that Usigbe had lived a fulfilled life.

Speaking on behalf of the media team of the Presidency, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President in the office of the Vice President, said the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who was unavoidably absent, directed him to represent the media team of the Presidency.

Nkwocha, who described Usigbe as a gentleman with dedication to fitness and positive outlook, said he was a journalist of high standards whose passing left grappling emotions.

On his part, Fred Ituah, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, speaking to the Nigerian Tribune said: “Dr. Leon was a brother, a kinsman and somebody most of us looked onto in journalism, his death though shocking, quite surprising too, we are hoping that God will console his family and the rest of us who will still carry on the mantle he has left within journalism space, we will continue to make him proud and do all we can do.

“And another point is that for our colleagues, journalists, when you are in in need, in trouble or ill always pick up your phone, a problem shared is sometimes half solved, a good number of us were not even aware that he was ill until it was too late, and I am hoping that going forward some of these incidents will be prevented, and if our colleagues are in need and they need us, we should always be our brother’s keeper, like the Bible prescribe, and I pray for the repose of his soul.”

Dr. Leon Usigbe’s daughter, Barrister Osose Ivy Usigbe, said the hearts of the family were heavy for losing a father who was always there for the family, noting that what made his late father great was not only his professional brilliance but his humanity.

“He gave love freely, valued honesty above all, and carried himself with humility that made everyone feel seen and respected. He was comfortable in the profession as he was with his family, and to us, he was our foundation and strength,” she said.

She thanked relatives, colleagues, and friends for honouring their late father in a special way.

She said: “We appreciate our relatives, who stood by us from the very beginning, colleagues and church members who came from far and near. It has enlightened us that we are not walking this road alone”. (Nigerian Tribune)

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