President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the media industry, particularly the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Nigeria Guild of Editors, over the death of New Telegraph’s Saturday editor, Waheed Bakare.
Mr Bakare died on Sunday evening after a brief illness.
The President, in a statement on Monday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, sent condolences to the deceased’s family and management of New Telegraph Newspapers, describing the editor’s death as a collective loss to the media and the nation that he served passionately with his talent.
Buhari prayed that God would receive the soul of the departed and comfort all that mourn him.
Similarly, Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, described Bakare’s death as devastating and a great loss not only to his immediate family but also to the journalism profession in Nigeria.
Mr Oyetola, in a statement on Monday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, commiserated with Bakare’s family, friends, colleagues, the Journalists’ Hangout family and the paper’s management.
The governor described the late Bakare as a hardworking, talented, cerebral and accomplished journalist, noting that he would be sorely missed by the media community.
“I received with great shock the passing of Alhaji Waheed Bakare, Editor, Saturday New Telegraph. His death is not only a loss to his family, but also to the journalism profession,” he said.
“As people who believe in God, we should take it in good faith and give gratitude to God that the late journalist ran a good race and gave a good account of himself as a newsroom leader and gatekeeper.
“As a professional and a devout Muslim, Bakare showed class in the discharge of his responsibilities.
“My deep condolences go to the entire family, the New Telegraph management as well as the entire journalists in Nigeria. He will be sorely missed.”
