Nigeria has lost one of its finest newspaper production hands. Elder Pius Onyegide, who made his mark in most of the country’s major newspapers, died following a brief illness while recuperating from surgery to remove a cancerous growth.

“He died in Ibadan and his body has been taken to his country home, Umuokogbuo Eluama in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State,” a family source told News Express.

The source disclosed that the veteran newspaper production expert died on Sunday, January 14, and that his family is currently planning his funeral.

Born in Umuokogbuo on March 5, 1952, Pius Obi Onyemaechi Onyegide spent his teenage years in Enugu and Kano before relocating to Lagos in the late ’70s after his secondary education at Igbo Union Grammar School, Kano.

His newspaper production career started with Punch Newspapers, where he completed his Technical Training in 1977.

He joined Daily Times In 1981 as a Machine Minder, moving to Guardian Newspapers in 1988 as an Assistant Supervisor but left few months after to join Champion Newspapers as a Press Supervisor.

The late Elder Onyegide left two years later for Torch Publishing Company Ltd in 1990 as Press Manager. After eight years with Torch, Onyegide rejoined Champion Newspapers in 1998 as the Assistant Production Manager (Press) where he worked for two years before joining Daily Independent as their Production Manager.

A devout Christian, Elder Onyegide was a steadfast member of the Deeper Life Bible Church, where he served as a worker and leader in his younger years. He is survived by three children and several relatives, having lost his wife a few years back.