Agbroko will be remembered for his forthrightness -- NGE
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has said the late Mr Godwin Agbroko, chairman, Editorial Board of Thisday Newspapers, would be remembered for his forthrightness.
Agbroko's remains were found in his car in Lagos on December 22, after he was allegedly shot dead by unknown assailants on his way home from the office.
Mr. Tony Akiotu, Deputy President of the NGE who led a delegation of the guild on a condolence visit to the management of Thisday Newspapers in Lagos said Agbroko was a quintessential journalist.
``They can take away the life of a journalist, but they cannot take away what he stood for in his life time,'' he said.
Akiotu said although the guild was saddened by the death of Agbroko, it took consolation from the fact that he left his good works behind for posterity.
``We are consoled by the fact that in the next 10 to 20 years, students of Journalism and Mass Communication will have as reference point some of his brilliant prose.
``He was a man whose writing has done a lot to uplift the society and the noble profession of journalism,'' he said.
Akiotu, who is also the Deputy Director (Operations) of DAAR Communications, urged the family of Agbroko and the management of Thisday Newspapers to keep the guild informed of the plans for the burial rites of Agbroko.
``His death is not just a loss to his family and Thisday alone, but to all journalists. So we must try and give him the befitting burial he deserves,'' he said.
Mr Eniola Bello, managing director of Thisday Newspapers, who received the NGE delegation, thanked the guild for their solidarity, noting that Thisday was still waiting for the police to unravel Agbroko's killers.
``The killing just goes to show the state of insecurity we are in this country, but we will not be deterred,'' he said.
Bello said February had been tentatively fixed for the burial, but gave the assurance that the guild would be informed of the date.
Some prominent persons, who have signed the condolence register include Mr Akin Osuntokun, Political Adviser to the President, Mr Pat Utomi, Presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Chief Bisi Akande, national chairman of Action Congress, (AC).