The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council said it received with rude shock the death of the immediate past Internal Auditor of the Council, Comrade Walter Ukaegbu who died Friday after a protracted illness.
The Council in a statement released in Abuja Saturday, jointly signed by Comrades Osaretin Osadebamwen and Ochiaka Ugwu, Chairman and Secretary of Council respectively, stated that, “We the members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council are deeply saddened to announce the death of Comrade Walter Ukaegbu, two-time Internal Auditor of Council, who died on Friday following a protracted illness.”
The statement noted that Sir Ukaegbu had “transformed the council’ internal auditing mechanism for good,” and was a “dogged defender of free press and always ready to fight hard wherever it was threatened.”
According to the statement, “Sir Ukaegbu was a versatile journalist who made his mark in the profession through his sensitive and analytical reporting while working for the Sun Newspapers.
“There is no doubt that Sir Ukaegbu had journalism at his heart and fought tirelessly for freedom of information.
“Again, we are forever grateful for his outspoken commitment to our union. The NUJ family has lost a great journalist, advocate of free speech and a wonderful colleague who mentored many in the job.
“It is unfortunate that such a huge loss is coming barely 24 hours after another comrade, John Oba, departed to the great beyond.
“Sir Ukaegbu will be missed as a tireless defender of journalism and his loss will be felt deeply across the journalism world and his immediate community.
“The NUJ FCT condoles with his immediate family, colleagues and prays that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”
