Governors and lawmakers have joined President Muhammadu Buhari in mourning the death of Tony Momoh who died at the age of 81.
The eminent journalist, politician and lawyer was a prince of Auchi Kingdom, Edo State.
He was the national chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which merged with the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) and a section of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Paying tribute to Momoh in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari described the former Minister of Information and Culture as his longtime ally, friend, and political loyalist.
According to him, the president, Momoh stood with him through thick and thin, adding: “His brand of loyalty is very rare in the politics of today. I will greatly miss him.”
On his part, Senate President Ahmed Lawan condoled with the government and people of Edo State and the APC over the irreparable loss.
The lawmaker in a statement said: “As Minister of Information, Prince Momoh, through his ‘Letter to my countrymen’ series, professionally and effectively disseminated and managed public information in a manner that was unique to him.
Similarly the Senate Chief Whip and former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kali said the late media guru contributed to the social, economic and political development of the country in various capacities.
Kalu, who commiserated with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other stakeholders in the media industry, stressed that the deceased left indelible footprints in the annals of journalism in the country.
Not to be left out, Lagos State Governor Sanwo-Olu described Momoh’s death as a colossal loss to Nigeria and the ruling party.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, urged family, friends and colleagues of the deceased as well as the APC leadership to immortalised him.
Also, Also, Edo State Governor Obaseki lauded the contributions of the veteran journalist to the growth and development of Nigeria, describing him as a rare politician, who spoke truth to power, when it mattered most.
In a statement, he said: “It is with a heavy heart that I received the news of the death of veteran journalist and former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh.
“Prince Momoh, though a great son of Edo State, was a total Nigerian. He was forthright, driven and spoke with candour. As a nationalist, he was unapologetic about the Nigerian project. His lasting legacy remains the enthronement of democratic values in Nigeria.
“A progressive and committed Nigerian, Prince Momoh’s wise counsel would be greatly missed, especially as we navigate our current challenges as a nation.
“On behalf of the government and people of Edo State, I commiserate with his family, friends and associates and wish that God grants them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
