NPAN, Uzodimma mourn as Emeka Obasi dies @ 58

The Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma have mourned the death of the publisher of the Business Hallmark Newspapers, Prince Emeka Obasi, who passed on on Wednesday at the age of 58.

In separate condolence messages, both NPAN and Uzodimma described the death of Prince Obasi as shocking.

According to NPAN President Kabiru Yusuf,the death of Prince Obasi was “more shocking coming at the unripe age of 58 years”Kabiru Yusuf described Obasi as the quintessential journalist and media guru, who until his death, was a member of our esteemed Association as the publisher of Business Hallmark Newspapers”.

“We are consoled by the enviable legacies he left within and outside our esteemed industry and the nation at large”, NPAN said.

Governor Uzodimm in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, said Prince Emeka Obasi was a thorough-bred media practitioner who devoted his time, energy, intellect and resources for the advancement of the media profession in Nigeria.

The Governor recalled that early in life, Prince Obasi took to journalism practice and was to found Hallmark group of newspapers and later the National Mirror newspaper when he rested the Hallmark.

He said Prince Obasi’s love for the media continued and drove him to repackage the old Hallmark as Business Hallmark after he sold the National Mirror.

The Governor said apart from Prince Obasi’s media engagements; he was also involved in other activities that helped to shape the image of the Nigerian society.

For instance, Prince Obasi founded the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), as a vehicle to confer the Zik’s Prize for Leadership recognition on deserving Nigerians.

Governor Uzodimma regretted that Prince Obasi, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State during the return to civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999 died when his services were needed most both in his media constituency and the society at large.

He commiserated with the widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Obasi, the children, friends, associates and well wishers over the passing of their loved one and encouraged them to find solace in the fact that Prince Obasi led a fulfilled life in God and contributed his quota for the good of mankind when he was alive.

Governor Uzodimma also prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased a peaceful repose and to the people he left to mourn him, the fortitude to bear the loss.