NNPC condoles Daily Times on Samuel Idowu’s dead

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed deepest sympathy to the management and staff of the Daily Times on the demise of its senior editorial staff, Samuel Idowu who passed on two weeks ago.

The condolence was conveyed in a letter presented to the Daily Times by Mr. Gboyega Bello and Mr Alex Ekuno who represented the NNPC management during a condolence visit to the DTN Abuja office on Thursday.

Mr Bello said that the management of the NNPC deeply regretted the loss of Mr Idowu.

The letter, dated June 5, 2018 and addressed to the Editor, Mr Tony Amokeodo, was signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu.

It reads: “We received with shock and disbelief, the sad news of the sudden death of Mr Idowu Samuel Olufemi, who was your Political Editor and Senate Correspondent in Abuja.

“Mr Idowu’s path crossed ours in the Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) during the discharge of his duties, leaving us with fond memories of the deceased as a friendly, helpful and exceptionally professional individual who put others’ interests above his own.

“It is most regrettable that the Daily Times and indeed the media industry in the country lost such a resourceful, deep professional at a critical point in the annals of the Nigerian political landscape when his incisive analysis of issues is perhaps most needed.

“Our hearts are with you and the immediate family of the deceased as you mourn his loss, while praying that the Lord God gives succour to the grieving ones over his demise.

Kindly accept our deepest condolences on this unfortunate loss.”

Responding, the Managing Editor of the Daily Times, Mr Bonaventure Mela thanked the NNPC for the condolence.

He said, “We have received many condolences but we are very glad to receiving your sympathy, we greatly appreciate this visit.

Our new approach in the Daily Times is development journalism and we will continue to work with you to support your Programmes and policies in our newspaper.

We have created a column for NNPC because we recognise that it is the engine room of the Nigerian economy.”

Meanwhile the NNPC urged the Daily Times to uphold the good name and professionalism it is known, adding that the Daily Times is a symbol of journalism in the country.