Ekpu, Mohammed pay tribute to Onabule

Co-founder of Newswatch Communications, Ray Ekpu, and founding Director of Newswatch Communications, Yakubu Mohammed have paid tributes to the late Duro Onabule, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to former Military President, Babangida, describing him as a great journalist.

Speaking with The Guardian in Lagos, yesterday, Ekpu said: “It’s a big loss. We worked together at National Concord when he was Deputy Editor and I was Chairman of the Editorial Board. We worked amicably, but he eventually left to work with Babangida.

“He has served the nation well. About two or three weeks ago, I read something from him. That is explicit and exemplary, practising his profession into his 80s. Many people don’t practise the profession into their 80s. It is something to be commended and I give my sympathy to his family, praying God to give him a place of rest in his bosom.”

Similarly, Mohammed described death as a very sad occurrence.

He recalled: “I knew him before we worked together at National Concord. We covered the election together in Germany. We were the only two Nigerians who were there. In 1980, I was the Deputy Editor and he was Features Editor. In 1982, when I became Editor, he became the Deputy Editor of National Concord. What I remember him for is his incredibly retentive memory. He was like a walking encyclopaedia. We worked together to make National Concord what it was. May his soul rest in peace.”

Born on 27 September 1939 in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Onabule attended the CMS Grammar School and the School of Journalism, London.

His first media work was as a reporter for the Daily Express in 1961. Three years later, he joined the Daily Sketch. He spent some time with Daily Sketch before going back to Daily Express. In 1969, he served as the London Correspondent for Daily Express. In the mid-1970s, he worked for the Daily Times. When the late Chief Moshood Abiola started the Concord Press, Onabule was appointed Features Editor. In 1984, he became the Editor of the National Concord.

He died on August 16, 2022, at the age of 82.