Oyo, Adamawa NUJ Mourn Death Of Seven Journalists In Gombe Auto Crash

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo and Adamawa State Councils, on Tuesday, extended their heartfelt condolences to the NUJ President, Alhassan Yahya and the entire Gombe State Council over the unfortunate and tragic death of seven journalists in a fatal accident.

In a statement jointly signed by the Oyo State Chairman, Akeem Abas and Secretary, Temidayo Adu, respectively, the council said the painful loss had left the journalism family across the country in profound grief and their sudden demise is not only a loss to NUJ Gombe Council but to the media profession.

THE WHSTLER reports that the seven journalists died in a lone crash that occurred in the Gombe South area of Gombe State, on Monday evening.

The journalists were said to have boarded the bus to show solidarity with a colleague, an employee of the Nigerian Television Authority, who was getting married.

Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samson Kaura, who confirmed the incident, said preliminary information indicated that the crash was fatal.

Oyo NUJ, in a statement said, “On behalf of journalists in this state, we commiserate with the families, friends and colleagues of the departed.

“We pray that Almighty God grants them eternal rest and gives the NUJ President, Gombe Council as well as all affected families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“We also pray that the Almighty God lay His healing hands upon those who sustained injuries in the unfortunate accident,” the statement added.

On its part the Adamawa NUJ conveyed its commiseration in a message jointly signed by the council’s Chairman and Secretary, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Kissinger Bukar respectively, on Tuesday in Yola.

The council also condoled the management of NTA Gombe, the Ministry of Information, the Government and people of Gombe State, over the incident.

“‎The loss of these dedicated professionals is a painful blow not only to the journalism profession, but to the nation at large.

“Their commitment, service, and contributions to the growth of the media industry will be greatly missed.

‎”Adamawa State Council of the NUJ stands in solidarity with the families of the deceased, colleagues, and entire the Gombe State media community, during this moment of grief,” it said

The council prayed for God to grant eternal rest to the departed souls, and give their families and loved ones, strength to bear the irreparable loss.