Veteran journalist and former Chief Press Secretary to former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), Duro Onabule has died. His death has thrown the world of Nigerian journalism into mourning.
The sun set on veteran journalist, Duro Onabule on Tuesday. The thoroughbred journalist answered the call of death and like it is the way of every mortal, he bade farewell to life, leaving many especially his family, friends and colleagues in the pen profession to mourn his passing, and consoled alone by the precious memories now left of him.
His was an eventful life, dedicated to his chosen career, Journalism.
From behind the desk in the newsroom in 1985, the admirably schooled journalist was appointed as Chief Press Secretary to former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida(IBB), a job he masterfully handled with gifted eloquence and lucid writing and intelligence.
Onabule made very strong impact, helping his military boss to warm his way into the hearts of the Nigerian public.
Born September 27, 1939 in Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, young Onabule attended the prestigious CMS Grammar School, Lagos and later proceeded to the School of Journalism, London.
Onabule made journalism looked simple.
He was the London correspondent of the The Express before returning home to Nigeria in the mid-1970s and worked for Nigeria’s flagship newspaper, The Daily Times where he rose to become a deputy editor, a feat he achieved when he was barely thirty years old. In 1980, he was appointed the pioneer Features Editor, National Concord and later became the Editor of the best selling newspaper at that time in 1984.
The prolific writer died on Tuesday at 83; marking the end of a life of glowing accomplishments especially in the field of journalism where he will be sorely missed. A recipient of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1988 and a member of the Victorian Order of the United Kingdom, Duro Onabule was until his death a columnist in the Sun newspaper.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
