Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Mr Peter Onwubuariri Chukwuemeka, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Presidential Villa.
Onwubuariri, a former staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reportedly died in Kano on Monday at the age of 48 after a protracted illness.
In a condolence message, Governor Yusuf described the late presidential media aide as a dedicated public servant and accomplished journalist who made meaningful contributions to public communication and the effective dissemination of information at the Presidential Villa.
The Governor said the death of Onwubuariri was a painful loss to his family, colleagues, the Presidential media team and the entire information and public relations community.
READ ALSO: President Tinubu Mourns Veteran Journalist Peter Onwubuariri
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, quoted Yusuf as extending his condolences to the Presidential media team, the Federal Government and the immediate family of the deceased.
The Governor also sympathised with the deceased’s wife, Mrs Onwubuariri Catherine Ezinna, praying Almighty God to forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest and give his family and colleagues the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.
Onwubuariri was said to have undergone treatment for about a month at the Kano Cancer Hospital under a treatment authorisation provided by the Kano State Government.
His remains were conveyed from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, on Tuesday for onward transportation to Owerri, Imo State, where he is expected to be laid to rest.
The body was formally handed over by the Kano State Government to the State House delegation.
The handover was conducted by the spokesman to Governor Yusuf, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, while Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, Mr. Oche Echeija Egwa, received the remains on behalf of the Presidential media team.
Governor Yusuf described the late Onwubuariri as a thoroughbred media professional whose contributions to presidential communication and reputation management over the years would be remembered.
The Governor extended his condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Presidential media unit and the family of the deceased, describing the loss as a significant blow to Nigeria’s journalism and public information community.
