Mark, others mourn The Guardian editor

The leadership of the Senate yesterday expressed shock over the death of the late Assistant Political Editor of The Guardian newspaper, Mr John Abba Ogbodo, in a car crash.

Senate President, David Mark; Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and the Chairman Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Enyinnaya Abaribe, in separate statements described Ogbodo as a “man of very high moral standing, who was well guided by the ethics of the pen profession.”

Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement in Abuja said Mark “literarily broke down and struggled to fight back tears as the news of the death of The Guardian Assistant Political Editor John Abba-Ogbodo filtered into town.”

He added that Mark in an “unusual subdued voice” lamented the untimely demise of Ogbodo who he described as an accomplished journalist and a worthy son of Benue State.

The President of the Senate noted that late Ogbodo was a vibrant, versatile and resourceful journalist who was professionally minded at all times.

Mark said: “I feel so devastated. Ogbodo was like my son. 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 constituents, 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 sympathise with the immediate family, the Guardian house and the entire Nigerian media for this painful loss.”

Senator Mark noted that Ogbodo added value to the practice of journalism in Nigeria, saying he was a man of very high moral standing, who was well guided by the ethics of the pen profession.

Abaribe said: “The Senate has been informed of the unfortunate and untimely death of Mr John Abba Ogbodo, (a member of the Senate Press Corps) in a vehicle accident along Anyigba – Ajaokuta Road.

“Mr John Ogbodo was among others enroute to an official assignment outside Abuja.

“The Senate is deeply saddened by the death of Mr John Abba, a highly respected and trusted journalist of many years standing.

“The Senate joins with many others who knew him in offering our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the family, the Senate press corps, Guardian Newspapers and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.”

Ndoma-Egba said: “It is with the utmost shock and sadness that I received the news of the death of Mr. John Abba Ogbodo of The Guardian Newspapers on Thursday, February 28, at Ayingba, Kogi State.

“I recall the several occasions when our paths met and the regular banter between us was who was most ranking of the duo?

“The late John would always remind me that he was a ranking member, having been in the parliament since 1999 and for good measure, would remind me that he had traversed the two chambers in the National Assembly.

“Physiologically, John may not have been a titan of a man. But he made up for it with his intellect, humor and sense of camaraderie which stood him out among his colleagues.

“His untimely exit is such a great loss to parliamentary reporting in Nigeria. I pray that God grant his medium and nuclear family the fortitude to bear this unfortunate loss.”

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