Mark, Uduaghan mourn Ogbodo

President of the Senate Senator David Mark, literarily broke down and struggled to fight back tears as the news of the death of The Guardian Assistant Political Editor, John Abba-Ogbodo, was broken to him.
Mark, in an unusual subdued voice, lamented the untimely demise of Ogbodo, whom he described as an accomplished journalist and a worthy son of Benue State.
The President of the Senate noted that late Ogbodo was a vibrant, versatile and resourceful journalist who was professionally minded at all times.
He said: “I feel so devastated.
“Ogbodo was like my son.
“Our relationship became stronger and cemented when I met him in the National Assembly as a journalist.
“Of course, being my relation and a member of my constituent, it was like home away from home for both of us.
“Death is an inevitable end.
“We don’t plan for it .
“It must come when it shall.
“But frankly speaking, this is one death so cruel.
“I sincerely sympathized with the immediate family, The Guardian house and the entire Nigerian media for this painful loss.”
Senator Mark noted that Ogbodo added value to the practice of journalism in Nigeria, saying he was a man of very high moral standing who was well guided by the ethics of the pen profession.
He added that late Ogbodo died in the line of duty and urged the press to uphold the virtues of hard work, sincerity and commitment to the ideals of nationhood, which Ogbodo stood for.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State could not hold back his grief in reaction to the death of Ogbodo.
Although the three other journalists survived, the governor said it was an irony that Ogbodo’s death has robbed the nation and particularly the media of the opportunity to celebrate, adding it was a twist of fate that confronts everyone at this moment of grief.
He said: “It is a cruel shock and annoying twist of fate. He died.
“His colleagues survived. The nation is left to mourn.”
Uduaghan, in a statement issued by Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary in Lagos State, also described the news of Ogbodo’s death as a “cruel shock” that will take a long time for journalists and politicians to overcome, while noting that the late journalist will be greatly missed for the candor, resilience and uncommon sense of duty that he attached to his job while alive.
The governor recalled that Ogbodo, while covering the activities of the ruling Peoples Democratiic Party as well as other political events, was always fair, incisive and balanced, a fact which endeared him to all and sundry, culminating in the outpouring of grief by all manner of persons with the news of the death.
While calling on all to take solace in the wisdom that God knows why the late journalist had to bow out at a time when his bosses had acknowledged his proficiency, the Delta State chief executive expressed condolence with the management and staff of The Guardian, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, particularly Abuja chapter, and the late Ogbodo’s family for the sad loss.
He prayed God to grant the nation and those affected by the tragedy the fortitude to bear the loss as well as repose for the soul of the deceased.