By FLORENCE ONUEGBU

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says death of veteran journalist and Publisher, Hallmark Newspaper, Prince Emeka Obasi, is painful and heartbreaking, considering his impact in the journalism profession.

Sanwo-Olu said this in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday.

He said that the exit of the former Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy was a colossal loss to the media industry and the country, as a whole.

Obasi, an award-winning journalist and publisher, who battled a medical condition over the past few years, died at 58 on Tuesday, at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos.

The governor urged the deceased family, especially his widow, Dr Betty Obasi; as well as friends, colleagues and associates of Prince Obasi to take solace in God and the fact that the deceased lived a good life.

He also commiserated with the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists over the demise of the Publisher of Hallmark Newspapers.

According to him, the death of Obasi is a great loss to the media industry and he will be greatly missed.

“He made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria, as well as politics at the state and federal level.

“Obasi’s landmark achievements in the media industry are unprecedented, as he managed several newspapers, among which are National Mirror, Hallmark and Business Hallmark, thereby providing job opportunities for hundreds of people, especially journalists in different parts of the country.

“He also contributed his quota to governance in Abia State, by serving as Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

“I sympathize with his family, friends, business, associates, and entire media practitioners in Nigeria. I pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said. (NAN)