Ambode mourns Lagos State House reporter

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed rude shock and sadness over the death of a member of staff of National Mirror newspaper, Mr. Francis Suberu.

Suberu, a reporter attached to the Government House in Lagos, died on Tuesday after a brief illness at the age of 37. His wife, two children and aged mother, among other relatives, survived him.

Ambode, in a condolence letter he personally signed and addressed to the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Folashade Omolara Suberu, described the late journalist as a quiet and unassuming man who contributed immensely in projecting the programmes and policies of his administration in the last 19 months through balanced news reports.

The governor said it was always painful to lose a soulmate and family breadwinner, but urged members of the family to take solace in the fact that Suberu led a good life and was a member of the esteemed journalism profession.

According to the letter dated January 18, 2017, Ambode said: “I was shocked to learn of the passage of your beloved husband and member of the Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents (LAGOCO). It is always a painful experience to lose a soul mate, a father, a confidant and the family breadwinner in any circumstance.

“However, painful as the suddenness of this physical separation could be, I urge you to take solace in the fact that Mr. Francis Suberu was an active member of the esteemed journalism profession who, despite his quiet and unassuming nature, contributed in no small measure to the projection of the programmes and policies of my administration in the last 19 months through his balanced news reports in his media organization, National Mirror.

“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, please accept my sincere condolences once again. May Almighty God grant the soul of the departed sweet repose and endow you and all family members left behind the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”