Tinubu mourns as presidential villa media aide, Onwubuariri, di£s at 48

Peter Onwubuariri, an Assistant Director, Media, at the Presidential Villa, has di£d at the age of 48. Onwubuariri, a veteran journalist with the NewsAgency of Nigeria (NAN), di£d on Monday, September 7, in Kano, after battling a prolonged illness. - Advertisement - His wife, Catherine Ezinna Onwubuariri, confirmed his death, saying he had spent about a month receiving treatment at the Kano Cancer Hospital under the Kano State Government's treatment authorisation. His remains were released from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Tuesday, September 8, for transportation to Owerri, Imo State, where he is expected to be buried. The body was formally handed over to Oche Egwa, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, State House, on behalf of the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The handover was carried out at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital by Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf. Reacting to the death, Tinubu described the late journalist's passing as a painful loss to the Presidency, NAN, the media community and the country. In a condolence statement issued on Tuesday by Onanuga, the President highlighted Onwubuariri's long career in journalism and his service across three successive administrations. The deceased was posted to the Presidential Villa in 2014 after serving as NAN's North American correspondent. He subsequently worked with the media teams of Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu. Over the course of his career, Onwubuariri reported extensively on major national and international issues, including politics, finance, foreign affairs and telecommunications. Tinubu commended his professionalism, dedication and commitment to public service, saying his career reflected his competence and integrity. The President said, 'Peter was a dedicated journalist and a committed public servant whose professionalism and calm disposition earned him the respect of his colleagues and associates. His years of service to three administrations are a testament to his competence, integrity and commitment to duty. 'His passing is a great loss to the Presidential Villa, the media fraternity and Nigeria. He will be remembered for his diligence, his wealth of experience and his contributions to journalism and national service.' Tinubu extended his condolences to Onwubuariri's wife, his three children, other members of his family, as well as his colleagues and friends.