President Goodluck Jonathan was one of those who spoke early on the passing of Mr. Alexander Uruemu Ibru on Sunday. According to President Jonathan, Nigeria in the loss of Mr. Ibru, had lost “an astute businessman and a committed nationalist.”
Dr. Jonathan recalled that the late Alex Ibru founded The Guardian to be the standard-bearer in independent and balanced reporting. He said, in a statement despatched through his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, considered to be one of the few close associates of the departed investor that Ibru contributed immensely in shaping Nigeria’s media industry.
“This man, whose life recorded a pattern of good works, has definitely gone too soon”, the president said.
“Many will remember him for founding The Guardian Newspapers which set the tone for independent and balanced journalism in Nigeria”.
“Those who knew him closely will remember him for his life’s work of quiet philanthropy”.
President Jonathan also acknowledged Ibru’s service to the country as a onetime Minister of Internal Affairs.
He said the late Ibru proved that he was devoted to the promotion of reconciliation and national stability in the wake of the post-June 12, 1993 electoral crisis.
“The country benefitted from his wealth of experience and peaceful disposition.
“He believed in and sowed his life as a seed to God by, amongst other things, building up the Ibru Centre to advance life, demonstrated that he valued his relationship with God, with man and with his family,” he added.
The president said the country had also lost an astute businessman, and a committed nationalist who willingly accepted to serve the nation when the odds might have dictated otherwise.
The president, therefore, expressed his condolences to the Ibru Family, and prayed that God would grant them comfort and consolation.
Some Governors on Sunday described the death of the publishers of the Guardian Newspapers, Chief Alex Ibru, as `tragic and unfortunate’.
Speaking with newsmen at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Muhammed, Ikeja, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, said that the death was a sad loss to the nation.
“I am just hearing the news today. In fact it is a very tragic and unfortunate incident for the nation.
“Every passage of this type and indeed of any type is a course for grieve and one is saddened by the unpleasant news of his transition.
“ He was one of the leading light of Nigeria economic and political landscape. It is a sad loss, one wishes the family sympathies and condolences at this time,’’ he said.
Gov. Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun State said that the late Ibru was a statesman Nigerians should be proud of.
“Nigeria has lost one of its statesmen. On behalf of the people of Ogun state, I wish to commiserate with the family of the deceased,’’ he said.
Governor Adams Oshiomole in his reaction said “the country has lost a pillar of modern journalism and praised his professionalism”.
“After the epic contribution of the media to the anti-colonial and post-colonial struggle for the building of Nigeria, The Guardian founded in 1983 by Mr Alex Ibru could be said to have defined the agenda of the democratic struggles particularly from the early 80s”, the Governor said.
“No doubt Alex Ibru has left his invaluable imprint on the sands of Nigerian journalism. A mighty tree propelling the development of the Nigerian media has indeed fallen”, the Governor said.
He also recalled the flourish of the libertarian tradition championed by The Guardian which opened vistas to the growth of human rights groups like the Civil Liberties Organisation, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and a motley of others.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Lai Mohammed, said that the deceased was an icon.
“He was someone who shows that life is about principles and not because of privilege of position. He was an icon, he was not a noisy icon or politician,’’ he said.
He said that the Publisher did more for Nigeria in terms of believing in principles than most politicians had done.
Chief Ibru died on Nov. 20 at about 2.30 p.m. at the age of 66 in the cause of an illness, according to a statement by the newspaper on Sunday in Lagos.
“The passing on of Alexander Uruemu Ibru, Chairman and Publisher of The Guardian, flagship of the Nigerian press, has been announced.
“He died at about 2.30 p.m today, Nov. 20, while in the course of an illness. He was aged 66,’’ the statement said.
Born March 1, 1945, the late Ibru was a Nigerian businessman who became Minister of Internal Affairs between 1993 and 1995 during the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
During his time as Minister, he was a member of the country’s highest ruling body, the highest Provisional Ruling Council (PRC).
He was the younger brother of Chief Michael Ibru who founded the Ibru Organisation, and had hailed from Agbhara-Otor in Delta.
Ibru had attended the Yaba Methodist Primary School from 1951 to 1957, before heading to Ibadan Grammar School where he was between 1958 and 1960.
He also attended Igbobi College, Lagos from 1960 to 1963, and the University of Trent (formerly Trent Polytechnic) from 1967 to 1970 where he studied Business Economics.
Following a brief working experience, he ventured out on his own to become one of the most successful businessmen in Nigeria.
He later founded The Guardian in 1983, helping it to become one of Nigeria’s outstanding newspapers, and he was also involved in civil society activities.
Ibru was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club International, and the Chairman of Trinity Foundation, a philanthrophic body which gives support to the poor and the needy.
He was also the founder of the Ibru Centre which promoted ecumenism and religious harmony.
His family was yet to announce burial arrangements.