PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu expresses sadness over the passing of Dr. Leon Usigbe, a journalist with The Tribune Newspapers and a cherished member of the State House Press Corps, statement signed by Bayo Onanuga said.
Tinubu describes Dr. Usigbe as a veteran Statehouse Correspondent and professional whose dedication to truth, balance, and ethical journalism earned him the respect of colleagues, public officials, and readers nationwide, according to the statement.
The President noted that Usigbe’s insightful reporting and calm demeanour contributed immensely to strengthening democratic governance and keeping the public well-informed about the workings of the presidency and government at large.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues at The Tribune, and the entire Statehouse Press Corps. May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn this great loss,” remarked Tinubu.
Usigbe, from Edo State, was for many years the Katsina State Correspondent of Vanguard from where he joined The Tribune.
In March 2022, he survived an armed robbery attack on the streets of Abuja on his way from work.
A month earlier, Usigbe had earned a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Abuja.
Muhammad Tijjani Abdulsalam, one of colleagues in Vanguard Connect, an alumni Whatsapp group of former Vanguard staff wrote:
“Leon Usigbe was an exemplar of journalistic excellence, a luminary whose tenure at Vanguard newspapers in Katsina was marked by an unwavering commitment to creative expression and intellectual rigour.
“As a creative writer, he navigated complex narratives with ease, his prose imbued with a level-headed acuity that belied a certain haughtiness when condescension suited his disposition.
“Nonetheless, his impactful contributions during his time in Katsina earned him widespread recognition, culminating in his distinguished appointment as Special Adviser on Media to the esteemed Rt. Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari.
“Though our acquaintance was limited to the realm of telephonic discourse, his demeanour on the phone bespoke a gentleman of refined sensibilities, suave, urbane, and civilized, his every word an embodiment of courtesy and decorum. RIP Big brother.”
Salami Olaito of the Special Projects Department, wrote, “Oh God, this is too sad to hear or read this sad news of Dr. Leon Usigbe. He was a friendly and hospitable person. He took me round Katsina and all the local governments in the State. He took me to the house of the former President, Mohammadu Buhari. I can’t forget how he accommodated me instead of me staying in a hotel. May God rest your soul and give the family you left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Rest on Dr. Leon Usigbe.”
The tributes are still pouring in.
“Despite wars and rumours of war, we will not know strife.
“We will not know famine.
“We will not know pestilence.
“Happy New Year, friends,” Usigbe had posted as his New Year message on 1 January 2023. His mind could have been on post-election strives that were predicted for 2023.
May the Almighty rest him.
