Editors mourn NewsDirect publisher

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) said it was deeply saddened and shocked by the news of the passing on of one of its committed members and publisher of NewsDirect Newspapers Group, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi on Tuesday.

Aged 56, late Ibiyemi succumbed to death at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan, Ogun state where he was undergoing treatment.

In a statement on Wednesday by the NGE President, Eze Anaba, and its General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the professional body of all the editors in Nigeria described the late publisher as a committed member of the NGE, who made his mark in journalism profession – as a reporter, business editor, editor, and publisher.

‘’Even when Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi was struggling between life and death on his sick bed at the hospital, he was still breathing journalism; he wanted to know from his colleagues the latest happenings in our society; he called to find out the outcome of the national biennial convention of the NGE in Owerri.

“We were regularly in touch with him and his family; he assured us of his determination to survive; we were looking forward to him coming out of the Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ilisan, where he was undergoing treatment.

‘’Dr. Ibiyemi was passionate about the journalism profession and played his part in various newspapers before birthing his publication, Nigerian NewsDirect, some 13 years ago. He was a committed member of the NGE, and we take solace in the fact that he made his mark in the profession, as a reporter, editor, and publisher, before his home call. His legacy, NewsDirect Newspapers, has continued to make an impact with its rich content: informing, educating and entertaining readers, since it was created’’, the editors stated.

While commiserating with the family, friends, and entire members of the journalism community on the passage of Dr. Ibiyemi, the NGE prayed that the Almighty God would give them, especially the widow and children, the needed strength at this difficult time and the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.