Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed shock and sadness over news of the passing of the Publisher of Business Hallmark newspaper, Prince Emeka Obasi.

Obasi reportedly died on March 15, 2022 at a Lagos hospital according to his family. He was 58.

In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor said Prince Emeka Obasi was a thorough-bred media practitioner who devoted his time, energy, intellect and resources for the advancement of the media profession in Nigeria.

The Governor recalled that early in life Prince Obasi took to journalism practice and was to found Hallmark group of newspapers and later the National Mirror newspaper when he rested the Hallmark.

He said Prince Obasi’s love for the media continued and drove him to repackage the old Hallmark as Business Hallmark after he sold the National Mirror.

The Governor said apart from Prince Obasi’s media engagements, he was also involved in other activities that helped to shape the image of the Nigerian society.

For instance, Prince Obasi founded the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), as a vehicle to confer the Zik’s Prize for Leadership recognition on deserving Nigerians.

Governor Uzodimma regretted that Prince Obasi, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State during the return to civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999 died when his services were needed most, both in his media constituency and the society at large.

He commiserated with the widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Obasi, the children, friends, associates and well wishers over the passing of their loved one and encouraged them to find solace in the fact that Prince Obasi led a fulfilled life in God and contributed his quota for the good of mankind when he was alive.

Governor Uzodimma also prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased a peaceful repose and to the people he left to mourn him, the fortitude to bear the loss.