MORE eminent Nigerians yesterday paid condolence visits to the Ikoyi, Lagos residence of the late Publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Alex Ibru.Some of the dignitaries who visited yesterday include Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole; former Governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu; the Democratic Peoples Party's (DPP) governorship candidate in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru.Others were Chairman, Globacom Nigeria Ltd., Chief Mike Adenuga; president of Zenon Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola; the Chairman of Channels Television, John Momoh; the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, represented by Prof. S.W.E. Ibodje, among others.Muazu said Ibru was a fine gentleman and his humility was part of reasons he was on a condolence visit to the deceased's family.Also, the Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Brig.-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd) in a condolence letter addressed to Senator Felix Ibru and made available to The Guardian, said: 'To be sure, all of you, the Ibrus, particularly the Ibru brothers, are all great. But I dare say from my proximate position, that Alex was the greatest. He was always there, quite easy going but highly principled and hardworking. With his death, Nigeria has lost a gentle and principled patriot.'I recall in particular, how well and friendly Alex and I related while in government. I was the Minister of Labour and Productivity and he was Minister of Internal Affairs, a very big portfolio.'Ogboru said words were not enough to describe the late publisher regarding what he stood for, adding that 'the Bible says from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks'.According to him, the late publisher's personality was evident in the type of the newspaper he set up.Momoh said the 'late Ibru was a publishers' publisher and was a very unassuming character, a gentleman to the core. I was not too close to him but from his wife, one could tell he was a warm gentleman. Ibru was a very professional person while in government for a short while and also made his marks in private business,' adding that 'I just hope Nigerians can imbibe his way of life because he was very simple and disciplined.'In the same vein, Otedola described Alex Ibru as a honest, industrious and disciplined person, adding: 'What I liked most about him was his honesty.'The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) in its condolence message said: 'We commiserate with the board, management and staff of Guardian Newspapers Limited on the death of the founder and publisher of Nigeria's most respected newspaper.'Even though The Guardian Newspapers which he founded and nurtured to the world acclaimed level has impacted on virtually all areas of lives of the Nigerian society, we wish to put on record the exceptional and pioneering contributions which his newspaper has played (and continues) to play on the real estate and environment being our areas of calling as Estate Surveyors and Valuers', they added.Also, the MTN said: 'On behalf of the Management and Staff of MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, we write to express our heart-felt condolences on the untimely passing of Alex Ibru.'Indeed, words are not enough to express our shock over this irreparable loss. But we are consoled by his exemplary life. He was a committed nationalist, astute businessman, populist promoter of peace and religious tolerance whose life recorded a pattern of good works.'In the same vein, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, while commiserating with the late Ibru's family and The Guardian Newspapers, described Ibru's death as a great loss.
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