By Chinyere Aruogu
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed deep grief over the death of Channels Television’s State House correspondent, Chukwuma Onuekwusi.
Onuekwusi reportedly died on Monday, May 22 from a yet to be disclosed sickness that made him to be out of circulation from his duty post for some time now.
His death has devastated the Channels family and his colleagues at the State House. Most of them say he was a good man who approached his job with the fear of God.
Ekweremadu, who described the late journalist as a thoroughbred professional, noting that his death was a huge loss, not only for Channels Television, but also the media industry and the nation in general.
He said: “I received with pain and deep sense of loss the news of the passing on of Mr. Onuekwusi. He was a thoroughbred journalist, who brought a high sense of professionalism to bear on his work. He made Channels Television reports on the Presidency authoritative and delightful for millions of Nigerians, including me.
“It is sad that he was cut down by death at the prime of his career, when he still had so much to offer the nation and her democracy. But he certainly left indelible marks on the sands of time”.
Ekweremadu prayed God to grant Onuekwusi’s family, Channels Television, and the Nigerian media industry the fortitude to bear the loss. He also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed.
Signs that all was not well with Onuekwusi’s health emerged when the office detailed another personnel to the State House, Gloria Umezeoke few weeks ago, but it was thought the deployment was going to be a temporary one due to Onuekwusi’s track record at the State House and competence in reporting the activities of the State House.
The entire office of Channels was on Tuesday, May 23 enveloped in sadness with some of the ladies even crying.