By Abuchi Onwumelu, Awka
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor has commiserated with the family of the late Dimgba Igwe, a veteran journalist and vice chairman of the Sun Newspapers who died on Saturday morning 6/9/2014, after been hit by a car while jogging along his street at the Okota area of Lagos State.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the bishop, Mr. Abuchi Onwumelu, Bishop Ezeokafor noted that the government has an obligation to protect the media practitioners and exhorted them to ensure maximum protection of the men of the pen profession who had for so long be regarded as endangered species saying that without the media the world would be as horrible as a nightmare.
He described the late Dimgba, as a prolific writer, a promoter of investigative journalism who through his writing skills demonstrated a sense of decorum, stead forwardness and carried out his duties with utmost professionalism and also showcased deep understanding of journalism practice in Nigeria.
The statement said, ‘On behalf of himself, the auxiliary Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye; the priests, religious, and the entire lay faithful of Awka Catholic Diocese, I extend heartfelt commiserations to the family of late Igwe, the publisher of the Sun Newspapers, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors,’ the statement said.
Bishop Ezeokafor while condoling with Dimgba’s family urged the government to ensure the security of life and property of journalists in the country and called on them to fish out the killer of the celebrated journalist, even as he prayed God to grant him eternal rest and as well give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
