Remains of the late Abuja Bureau Chief of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, Dr Leon Usigbe, were at the weekend laid to rest in his residence, at Karshi, Abuja amid tears and wailing.
Usigbe, an accomplished and renowned journalist, passed on to glory on July 25 after a brief illness. Until his death, he was the State House Correspondent of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers.
His remains were lowered into mother earth at exactly 12:40pm shortly after a funeral mass held at St Patrick Catholic Church, Karshi, Abuja, officiated by Reverend Father David Akahomhen.
The atmosphere was sombre at his residence, while at his grave side, tears rolled down the faces of his immediate family members and other mourners.
Members of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council led by its Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, staff of Nigerian Tribune, Abuja Bureau, State House Correspondents, as well as editors from various media houses in Abuja and parish members were on hand to pay their last respects to the departed veteran journalist.
Before the commencement of the requiem mass, the body was reverently placed by pallbearers at the entrance of the church. It was received by the priest with altar servants bearing the cross, lit candles, holy water, Holy Bible and a white pall, symbols of faith and eternal life.
Reverend Father Akahomhen, in his homily from the Book of Wisdom 4:7-15 and Romans 8:14-23, hailed the late Usigbe as a man who lived a life of impact.
The priest, who described Usigbe’s death as sudden, said he was a man known for offering support to the church and for helping those around him to shine. He also hailed him as a committed family man.
He cited an example when kidnappers attacked his home while he was away in America, he took steps from abroad to secure his family. According to him, when Usigbe returned, fear disappeared from his family.
The priest described the deceased as a man of courage till the very end. He read the text message that the late Usigbe sent to him: “Please Father don’t worry about me, I have lived a good life.”
He called on friends and associates of the deceased not to forsake and abandon his family.
Speaking on behalf of the management of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, the Acting Abuja Bureau Chief, Prince Jacob Olatunji, described the late Usigbe as a dedicated and thorough-bred professional who distinguished himself in his career and as the State House Correspondent of the organisation.
Prince Olatunji, who conveyed the sympathy of the management and staff to the family, prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging the family to take solace in the fact that he had lived a fulfilled life.
Speaking on behalf of the media team of the presidency, Senior Special Assistant to the President in the office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who was unavoidably absent, directed him to represent the media team.
Nkwocha, who described Usigbe as a gentleman with dedication to fitness and positive outlook, said he was a journalist of high standards whose passing left grappling emotions.
On his part, Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State governor, Fred Ituah, said “the deceased was a brother, a kinsman and somebody most of us looked upto in journalism, his death though shocking, quite surprising too, we are hoping that God will console his family and the rest of us who will still carry on the mantle he has left within the journalism space, we will continue to make him proud. “
According to him, “Another point is that for our colleagues, journalists, when you are in need, in trouble or ill, always pick up your phone, a problem shared is sometimes half solved, a good number of us were not even aware that he was ill until it was too late. I am hoping that going forward, some of these incidents will be prevented, and if our colleagues are in need and they need us, we should always be our brothers keeper. “
The deceased’s daughter, Osose Ivy Usigbe, said the hearts of the family are heavy for losing a father that was always there for them, noting that what made him great was not only his professional brilliance, but his humanity.
According to her, “he gave love freely, valued honesty above all and carried himself with humility that made everyone feel seen and respected. He was comfortable in the profession, as he was with his family, and to us, he was our foundation and strength.”
She thanked relatives, colleagues and friends for honouring their late father in a special way.
According to her, “we appreciate our relatives, who stood by us from the very beginning, colleagues and church members who came from far and near. It has enlightened us that we are not walking this road alone.“ Theconclaveng
