The Publisher and Managing Director of the Nigerian NewsDirect, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi, is dead, aged 56.
Ibiyemi reportedly died on Tuesday afternoon at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State.
Details of his health condition were sketchy but medics at the hospital reportedly said he died of a pulmonary embolism.
The NewsZenith reports that late publisher, who hails from Ile-Ife in Osun State was a graduate of Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, He also obtained his Master’s degree at the University of Lagos in 1998.
Ibiyemi started his career in journalism in the year 2000 and rose to become Deputy Editor of Financial Standard.
He joined the Nigerian Tribune Newspapers in January 2010 as Group Business Editor until February 2011.
The following month (March 2011), Ibiyemi established his own media outfit Nigerian NewsDirect.
Nigerian NewsDirect is a daily newspaper with contents from oil, gas, power, aviation, maritime, banking, education, capital market, entertainment, tourism, taxation and politics among others.
Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring from notable Nigerians, consoling family and friends of the late publisher.
Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has described the death of Ibiyemi as shocking.
In a condolence message to his family and media colleagues, Abiodun described Ibiyemi, as a brilliant and versatile journalist, who deployed his wealth of experience in the profession to better the society.
He said the late publisher was a stickler for the truth, noting that through his medium, he contributed his own quota to Nigeria’s economic and political development.
`He was quick to realise the business aspect of journalism, hence, his foray into publishing. Through NewsDirect, a refreshing newspaper, Dr Ibiyemi brought to bear his professionalism and business acumen.
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“His death is a massive loss to his family and the journalism profession. His legacies are immense and unforgettable.
“We in Ogun State will miss this quintessential and courageous journalist of no mean repute. It is my prayer that God grant him eternal rest,” the governor stated.
Also, members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have been reacting to the shocking news of the demise of one of their own.
Mr Oluwole Sogunle, the Member of the Standing Committee (West) of NGE exclaimed “What a loss”.
Sogunle, who is also a Deputy Editor-in-Chief at News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recounted that he last spoke with Ibiyemi on the way back from Biennial Conference of the NGE in Owerri, Imo State last month.
“What a loss. I last spoke with him on the way back from Owerri and didn’t know it would be the last time. May God rest his soul and comfort all he left behind,” he prayed.
Immediate past Ibadan Zonal Manager of NAN, Mr Olagoke Olatoye expressed surprise on hearing the death of the Guild member, Ibi
“What? Ibiyemi ke? Oh my God! What a great loss. I was disturbed when I didn’t see him in Owerri. Oh! May God Almighty rest his soul and grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. It is well oooooo,” Olatoye said.
Ms Maureen Chigbo, President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers described the death of Ibiyemi as a “shocking development”
“What a shocking development! Sad; very sad. May God forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest.
“May his soul and that of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. God console his family and friends and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Adieu. Condolences,” Chigbo said.
The NewsZenith reports that late Ibiyemi had been hospitalised for some period, receiving treatment for Pulmonary Embolism (Blood clots) at Babcock Teaching Hospital, Ilisan.
He was reported to have undergone surgery for a fourth time before he eventually passed on..
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