The National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi; former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; and the Senator representing Ekiti Central, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, have expressed sadness on the death of the Publisher, The Guardian, Chief Alex Ibru.Azazi said, "The death of Mr. Alex Ibru came as a surprise to me and to the entire nation. This painful exit of the publisher of The Guardian newspaper at a time like this has created a vacuum that is too difficult to fill."Ibru had made meaningful contributions to the growth of the media industry and political development of this country both as a publisher and former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."Late Alex Ibru had no record of using his influential newspaper for blackmail or personal vendetta. Rather, he stood for peace, justice, truth, patriotism and service for humanity."Tinubu, who is also the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, said Ibrus departure was not only a loss to his family, but also a loss to the media where he championed Nigerias entrance into the era of modern professional journalism through The Guardian stable.He said, "The Guardian, which you established became the flag ship of the newspaper industry in Nigeria and opened the doors for several other similar publications. "Nigeria has indeed lost a great mind, a sound entrepreneur, a trail blazer and a media icon. Even in politics, you made your mark. Serving as a Minister of Internal Affairs, between 1993 and 1995 during the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha, you freed The Guardian from government censorship, and by so doing, you gave the newspaper a breather from the suffocating dictatorship of that era. "But there was a price to pay for it. The Guardian was shut by the military regime and you became a target of anti-democratic elements and security goons. You were shot in the heat of the post June 12 democratic struggle but the bullets of oppression could not extinguish the fire for a just and equitable society in you. That is why today, I mourn with your family and Nigerians the death of a fine gentleman and media mogul."Ikuforiji described the death as, "highly unfortunate, and irreparable." He said the late Ibru was a great Nigerian patriot who devoted his wealth of experience and personal wealth to leave Nigeria better than he met it.He said, "Before he ventured into newspaper publishing in 1983, what was largely available was mostly government owned media. The coming of The Guardian newspaper however changed that perception and brought an intellectual bent to the practice of journalism in Nigeria."The late publisher is a humble business mogul, who never believed in flaunting his wealth by living an ostentatious live. It is to his credit that Alex Ibru lived a simple life although his philanthropic life and humility will never be forgotten in a hurry. Even his image as a role model for the youths is another legacy. Ojudu, in a statement, said Ibru would be remembered for his selfless and humble kindness, electric sense of humour and commitment to the development of Nigeria.Ojodu said, "At a time when the media profession was being hunted and persecuted, Chief Ibru courageously founded The Guardian newspaper in 1983 to join the ranks of committed and unpatriotic nationalists who had founded media outfits to advance the struggle for civil rule and social enlightenment in the country at the time, thereby giving young men such as myself the chance to live their dream of aspiring to be great and incorruptible journalists."It is on note that the moral standards set by the late Chief Alex Ibru produced many accomplished journalists who passed through his mentoring."
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