Nigeria: Guardian Publisher, Alex Ibru, Passes On

The media circle was jolted Sunday as the news of the death of the Chairman and Publisher of Guardian newspapers, Mr. Alex Ibru, hit the newsrooms In a statement released by Guardian, Ibru, the youngest of the famous Ibru brothers, died at about 2.30pm yesterday aged 66.The cause of the death was not disclosed, but THISDAY learnt that he had been terminally ill for years now and had even prepared his burial space in anticipation of his demise. He founded The Guardian in 1983 with a mission to make it one of the five best English language newspapers in the world.

He was made Minister of Internal Affairs and member of the highest Provisional Ruling Council by the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha in 1993 but resigned in 1995 as the government became unpopular.

After his exit from government, an attempt was made on his life, allegedly on the orders of the Abacha government, a case which is still in court and for which Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the then Chief Security Officer to Abacha, is standing trial.

President Goodluck Jonathan, in his reaction, said Ibru "contributed immensely in shaping Nigeria's media industry, setting the standard for the industry with the publication of high quality newspapers".

"This man, whose life recorded a pattern of good works, has definitely gone too soon. Many will remember him for founding The Guardian Newspapers, which set the tone for independent and balanced journalism in Nigeria. Those who knew him closely will remember him for his life's work of quiet philanthropy," Jonathan said.

He said Nigeria had lost an astute businessman and a committed nationalist "who willingly accepted to serve the nation when the odds may have dictated otherwise".

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, expressed shock at Ibru's death, describing it as "painful". Ibru was from the state."I am shocked and pained by this death. A man of humility, credibility and high integrity has passed on," he said.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) said it received "with a heavy heart" the news of Ibru's passage.

"The Guardian is his lasting legacy; the indelible epitaph," the editors said in a statement signed by NGE President,

Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, adding: "As an individual, he gave of himself selflessly in the service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a minister of Internal Affairs. He was a notable philanthropist, promoter of peace and religious tolerance."

The Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria (NPAN) described Ibru, who was a member, as a "Champion of Justice".

The NPAN President and Chairman of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, said in a statement issued last night: "It is with great sadness that the Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria received the news of the passing of one of our esteemed members, Chief Alex Ibru, the founding publisher and chairman of the Guardian Newspapers.

"Chief Alex Ibru reshaped the Nigerian Newspaper landscape with the founding in 1983, of The Guardian Newspapers which had as its mission, the desire to be among the five best English language newspapers in the world.

"The emergence of the newspaper also came with improved conditions of service for journalists employed in the stable. He not only ensured that the newspaper lived up to its motto of 'conscience nurtured by truth', the newspaper under his watch fought against oppression, dictatorship, and bad government for a progressive Nigerian state founded on justice.

"He was unarguably one of the most outstanding businessmen in the country who made his mark as part of the famed Ibru brothers whose pre-eminence in the business and economy of Nigeria cannot be overstated.

"Alex ibru also lent his wealth of experience to Nigeria when he served as Minister of Internal Affairs between 1993 and 1995.

Nigeria will surely miss this Champion of Justice."

Hon. Nduka Irabor, who edited one of The Guardian titles in the 1980s, described Ibru as a "very, very self-effacing man".

He said: "Publisher, as I became wont to calling him, was driven by a passion to serve mankind and succeed in whatever undertaking they might be. He recognised potentials and talents and never failed to nurture or promote such. Alex Ibru's style was unique and inspiring.

"Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said the country had lost one of the pillars of modern journalism in Nigeria."After the epic contribution of the media to the anti-colonial and post-colonial struggle for the building of Nigeria, The Guardian founded in 1983 by Mr. Alex Ibru could be said to have defined the agenda of the democratic struggles particularly from the early 80s," he said

Culled from Thisday