Gov Fashola Mourns Journalist, Alade Odunewu

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Friday mourned the passing on of veteran journalist, (a.k.a. Allah De), who passed on in Lagos on Thursday, describing him as one of the greats of the Journalism profession in Nigeria.
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Alhaji Odunewu one of, the earliest Nigerians to receive formal training in Journalism and variously described as dean of satirical Journalism as a result of his incisive and prolific commentaries, especially on burning national issues, passed on at the Saint Nicholas Hospital in Central Lagos. He was 85 years old.

In a condolence statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, Governor Fashola said the one time Editor of former West Africa’s largest circulating newspaper, the Daily Times, has, by his passage, left a very big pair of shoes which would be difficult to fill in the Journalism profession in the country.

“Having bestrode the Journalism profession for more than half a century, starting from the base to the top and ending up as a trainer of Journalists, Allah De has, by this passage left a very big pair of shoes hard to be filled. He was, indeed, a grand master who has used his talent to impact positively in nation building”, the Governor said.

He recalled that the deceased, who also worked as Editor/Managing Editor of Tribune, Editor of the defunct Daily Service, Editor-in-Chief of Allied Newspapers and finally Chief Executive Officer of the Publications Division of the Daily Times Group between 1956 and 1969, held some of the most challenging public communications assignments in the country such as Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Culture in Lagos State and Public Complaints and Electoral Commissioner at the national level.

“He has contributed his quota in the development of the profession which he embraced with passion since the early1950s. His prolific columns which he kept in various national newspapers till about three years ago, have often both inspired and ignited national debates that led to the resolution of burning national issues in favour of the populace”, the Governor said.

Praying the Almighty Allah to grant the departed Al-Janah Fridaus, Governor Fashola enjoined his family to take solace in the rich legacy he left behind in Journalism for which, according to the Governor, “he has been variously honoured; from leading the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Guild of Editors at various times to being named one of the 14 icons of Journalism Development in the 140 years of Nigerian Journalism”.

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