When the news of the ghastly motor accident involving one of my close confidant, Late Ibrahim Abdulaziz along Bauchi road on Friday, I was devastated.I became saddened, particularly as I recuperate after just returning from medical check up at the Gombe Teaching Hospital.
Indeed, this quintessential journalist with the flair,dedication to duty ,patriotism and exceptional courage and Midas touch has left indelible on the sands of time.
He is always down to earth and the first to dig and expose Hithertho hidden information or news,no matter whose ox is gored.He can simply be described as a worthsmith,and an ebullient, inquisitive journalist who made a mark in his chosen endeavor.
One sriking thing about the deceased is that ,he lived a simple and unassuming life,worthy if emulation by all committed journalist in the country.
Like,one-time popular spokesman in US,Henry Kissinger,the late believed in touching lives,particularly the down trodden. Through his rural reporting and development journalism, a number of communities were uplifted from the shackles of injustice, deprivation and marginalization.
Because he worked with a one of the foreign media outfits, it was easier for him to always be among the first to break the news to the admiration of the people, particularly pundits who believed in hiding facts from discernable members of the public.
A number of people do not even know that he hails from Jimlari village of Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, because of his long stay and close affinity with people of Adamawa state.
The deceased was level-headed, humble, and all rounder and a social mixer who easily blends with social and cultural ties of any community.
The contributions of this great journalist will forever remain in our hearts. Our prayer is that, may the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant his soul eternal rest, his family as well as people of Taraba and Adamawa states and Nigerians, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, coming at a time when prominent Nigerians are paying the supreme price.
May Aljanna Firdausi be his final abode and may the Almighty Allah lead us to a successful end.Allah Ya jikan, Ibrahim Abdulaziz.
