Alex Ibru gets post-humous award, more tributes

THE National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has given a post-humous award to the late Publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru.The award, the Most Valuable Personality (Titan Class, Print Media Development), was in appreciation of Ibru's exceptional pioneering effort, and other numerous contributions in developing and promoting the print media.At the event held in Lagos, the Deputy Editor of The Guardian (Daily), Mr. Jewell Dafinone, was also honoured.Also, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), has extolled the virtues of Ibru.Akinjide with his wife, Abimbola, were at Ibru's residence yesterday to pay a condolence visit to the bereaved.Other eminent Nigerians that came were Senators Bassey Ewa-Henshaw and Daisy Danjuma.Also present were the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Philip Oduoza, Paddie Oko, Dr. Folarin Olufunwa, Ladi Williams and his wife, Henrietta.Akinjide described Ibru as the greatest press baron ever produced in Africa. 'His name in the history of Nigerian journalism will live forever. He is a role model, he has not died, he is immortal. The history of Nigeria will not be complete without his name,' he said.Ewa-Henshaw said: 'In terms of accomplishment, he achieved what many people would not in a hundred years within a short span of life on earth. He was a humble person. In short, he was an exceptionally good person.'Ewa-Henshaw urged Nigerians to always learn from the modest life-style of Ibru. According to him, Ibru was able to amass wealth and even succeeded in business yet he did not show off. 'Mrs. Danjuma described Ibru as a 'good Christian and a very upright person. 'Olufunwa said the late publisher was a humble, gentle and godly person.Among those that also paid tributes were officials of Regency Alliance Insurance Plc; TBWA Concept; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN); FBL National Self Reliance Empowerment Project (FBL-NASREP); National Engineering and Technical Company Limited; the Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide (Ayo ni o) and First Registrars Nigeria Limited.
Click here to read full news..