Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, yesterday, expressed shock and sadness over the reported death of Publisher of Business Hallmark newspaper, Emeka Obasi.

Obasi’s family confirmed that he died in a Lagos hospital at the age of 58 after a protracted illness.

A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, quoted the governor as saying that Obasi was a media practitioner, who devoted his time, energy, intellect and resources to the advancement of the media profession in Nigeria.

He recalled that early in life, Obasi took to journalism practice and was to found Hallmark group of newspapers and later the National Mirror newspaper when he rested the Hallmark.

He said his love for the media continued and drove him to repackage the old Hallmark as Business Hallmark after he sold the National Mirror.

Uzodimma said apart from Obasi’s media engagements, he was also involved in other activities that helped to shape the image of the Nigerian society.

For instance, Obasi founded the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), to confer the Zik’s Prize for Leadership recognition of deserving Nigerians.

The governor lamented that Obasi, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State during the return to civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999, died when his services were needed most, both in his media constituency and the larger society.

He commiserated with the widow, Betty, the children, friends, associates and well wishers over the passing of their loved one and encouraged them to find solace in the fact that Obasi led a fulfilled life in God and contributed his quota for the good of mankind when he was alive.

Uzodimma also prayed God to grant the deceased a peaceful repose and the people he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.