The Senate and journalists on Friday mourned the death of Mr John-Abbah Ogbodo, the Assistant Political Editor of The Guardian Newspapers, who died in a car accident on Feb. 28.
Ogbodo, the Senate correspondent of The Guardian, met his tragic death on the Anyangba-Ajaokuta road in Kogi.
He was among a team of journalists travelling to Awka, Anambra, to cover the convocation lecture of Nnamdi Azikiwe University to be delivered by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.
Senate President David Mark eulogised Ogbodo as “a vibrant, versatile and resourceful Journalist who was professionally minded at all times’’.
“I feel so devastated, Ogbodo was like my son,’’ Mark said in a statement issued by Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, his Special Adviser on Media.
“Our relationship became stronger and cemented when I met him in the National Assembly as a Journalist, of course, being my relation and a member of my constituency, it was like home away from home for both of us,’’
“Death is an inevitable end. We don’t plan for it. It must come when it shall. But frankly speaking, this is one death so cruel.
“I sincerely sympathised with the immediate family, the Guardian house and the entire Nigerian media for this painful loss.’’
Ologbondiyan later led other members of the Senate president media team on a condolence visit to Ogbodo’s residence at Area 11, Abuja.
They conveyed the Senate president’s condolence to his wife, Vera, four children, relatives and symphathisers who thronged their residence.
Responding on behalf of the family, Dr Mike Efu said: “a loss is always a loss but when sometimes you look at the circumstance, the pain becomes more painful.’’
He said: “John left behind his lovely wife, four children and an aged mother in the village but in all things we give glory to God.’’
In a statement, the Senate spokesman, Sen. Enyinanya Abaribe praised Ogbodo as “a highly respected and trusted journalist of many years.’’
Abaribe condoled the family, the Senate Press Corps, The Guardian and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the unfortunate loss.
Meanwhile, the Senate Press Corps, led by Mr Cosmas Ekpunobi of the Champion Newspapers, had earlier on Friday paid a condolence to the Ogbodo family.
Ekpunobi said Ogbodo demonstrated excellence as a dedicated journalist.
He prayed God to grant his wife, children and relatives the fortitude the bear the irreparable loss.
He requested the family to keep the Senate Press Corps informed on the burial arrangements as they planned to participate actively in the build-up to his interment.
At the Senate Press Corps briefing room, a condolence register was opened for the late Ogbodo.
Some of the earliest tributes came from John’s colleague at the legislative house.
Bridget Chiedu Onoche of the Guardian wrote: “my principal, it is still difficult to accept that you have gone forever.
“ When you asked me to take care of the Senate on Wednesday, I didn’t know it was indefinite. I will miss your care and mentorship, Rest in Peace John.’’
Ekpunobi , Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, wrote: “Goodnight great friend, we are pained at your sudden death but we pray that you rest in the bosom of God almighty.’’ (NAN)