An Ace photo journalist in Ebonyi State, Stephen Nwuguru, has died at the age of 64 – reportedly of poverty. He died last Thursday, January 2, 2020.

Nwuguru who hailed from Alibaru-Ishieke, Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, retired as the Governor David Umahi’s photographer.

He began his career in old Anambra State. Upon the creation of Ebonyi from Enugu State, he was posted to the Press Unit, Government House, Abakaliki, from where he retired as the Governor’s photographer.

Nwuguru worked in the Press Unit, Government House, Abakaliki, as a contract staff till his demise.

His first son, Nnaemeka Nwuguru, who spoke to newsmen, described his death as a colossal loss to the family.

He called on the Ebonyi State Government to come to their aid for the burial of the veteran photo journalist, lamenting that he died of poverty and didn’t leave any means of survival for his children.

Nnaemeka said his father took ill late November last year and was taking herbs after refusing to be taken to hospital for medical treatment.

His said about the circumstances of his father’s death: “He took ill on November and entered December. He came to village on 24th December and was down with the sickness. I told him to follow me lets go to hospital but he refused. He said he was asked to be taking herbs and I went to where they are processing herbs medicine and got it for him.

“He took the herbs small and started complaining that he can’t urinate and defecate properly and stopped taking the herbs. He started drinking English medicine and I told him, ‘let’s go to hospital’ and he still refused. My father was taking the English medicine and died.

“Since he died, nobody has visited us or asked how we are preparing for his burial or how we are faring. We have no money for his burial.

“He has no property for us to sell and bury him. My father has no investment, he died of poverty. Even we his children have no money; we have nothing for his burial. As his son, I don’t have anything. Government and people should come to our aid to bury him.”

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