By President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of a senior presidential media aide who passed away in Kano after a prolonged illness, describing the loss as a painful blow to the Presidency and Nigeria’s media community.
The deceased, Peter Onwubuariri, 48, was an Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Presidential Villa and a veteran journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He died on Monday after reportedly spending about a month receiving treatment at the Kano Cancer Hospital under a treatment authorisation by the Kano State Government.
His remains were released from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Tuesday for transportation to Owerri, Imo State, where he will be laid to rest.
The body was handed over to Oche Egwa, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, representing the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The ceremony was conducted by Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf.
Tinubu Pays Tribute
In a condolence message issued by Onanuga, President Tinubu praised Onwubuariri’s professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment to public service.
He noted that the late journalist served in the media teams of three successive administrations, Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, following his posting to the Presidential Villa in 2014.
Tinubu said Onwubuariri would be remembered for his diligence, wealth of experience and significant contributions to journalism and national service, while extending condolences to his wife, Catherine, their three children, family members, friends and colleagues.
Kano Governor Condoles Family, Presidential Media Team
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf also expressed deep sorrow over the journalist’s passing, offering condolences to his family, the presidential media team and the Federal Government.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, the governor described Onwubuariri as a dedicated public servant whose work strengthened information dissemination and public communication at the Presidential Villa.
Yusuf said the death was a painful loss not only to his family and colleagues but also to the information and public relations community.
He prayed for God to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, grant him eternal rest, and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Before joining the Presidency, Onwubuariri built a distinguished career at NAN, where he rose through the editorial ranks, served as the agency’s North American correspondent and later became an Assistant Editor-in-Chief.
