Tribune’s Abuja Bureau Chief dies, Tinubu, minister mourn

THE family of the Abuja Bureau Chief of Nigerian Tribune, Dr Leon Usigbe, management and staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, have yet to get over the loss of the versatile journalist, just as Nigeria’s president, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed sadness over the death of Usigbe.

Usigbe, who died on Friday after a brief illness, was also the State House correspondent of the media outfit.

Before his death on Friday, Usigbe received medical attention at the State House Clinic and was discharged after two weeks. His condition, however, relapsed and he died at a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abuja on Friday.

The management of ANN Plc. has commiserated with the family, describing his sudden demise as not just huge loss to the Tribune family, but journalism profession in Nigeria.

Deputy Bureau Chief, Mr Segun Olatunji, led the delegation to condole with the family at his residence in Karashi, Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the management, Olatunji said the visit was to identify and pray for the family in their moment of grief as he prayed to God for the repose of the soul of the foremost journalist.

“We are here on behalf of the Tribune family to commiserate with you on this irreparable loss which has left a huge vacuum in the family while praying that Almighty God will forgive our leader, welcome him home and uphold the family he left behind,” he said.

Usigbe hailed from Uromi, Edo State. He previously worked with Vanguard Newspaper in Katsina, Kaduna and Abuja, covering the House of Representatives.

He was appointed the media aide to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari and returned to Vanguard before joining the Nigerian Tribune.

He has extensive experience in reporting on a wide range of topics, from politics and current events to social justice and human interest stories.

Also condoling with the deceased’s and the Tribune families, President Bola Tinubu on Saturday expressed sadness over the death of Usigbe.

He described Usigbe as a veteran State House Correspondent and professional whose dedication to truth and ethical journalism earned him the respect of colleagues, public officials and readers nationwide.

Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted that Usigbe’s insightful reporting and calm demeanour contributed to strengthening democratic governance and keeping the public well informed about the workings of the presidency and government at large.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues at The Tribune and the entire State House Press Corps. May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn this great loss,” Tinubu said.

Also, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed sorrow over the passing of Usigbe, describing him as one of Nigeria’s finest media minds.

In a condolence message issued on Saturday, the minister said the news of Usigbe’s death came as a shock, noting that his contributions to journalism and national development were marked by integrity, depth and an unflinching determination to the public good.

“Dr. Usigbe was an outstanding journalist, a highly cerebral professional and a shining light within the Nigerian media landscape. As a pen-wielding advocate for democracy and national development, he brought intellectual rigour, insight, and balance to his reporting,” Idris stated

The minister particularly recalled Dr. Usigbe’s presence at the Federal Ministry’s regular ministerial press briefings and his consistent participation in media engagements at the Presidential Villa.

According to Idris, his thought-provoking interventions helped shape national discourse and foster a more informed society.

“His death is a monumental loss, not only to Tribune Newspaper and the journalism profession, but also to the entire nation,” he said, noting that Dr Usigbe earned widespread respect across the media, government and the public through his intellect and clarity of purpose.

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