Buhari, Sanwo-Olu mourn celebrated journalist Ogunsanwo

President Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have mourned the former Editor of Sunday Times, Gbolabo Ogunsanwo.

They lauded the late Ogunsanwo’s contributions to media practice across Nigeria. The ex-Editor died on Friday.

In a statement on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President recalled the late editor’s impact on society through his then weekly column.

He prayed for the repose of Ogunsanwo’s soul.

“President Buhari joins family, friends, and the media industry to mourn celebrated journalist and former editor of Sunday Times, Mr. Gbolabo Ogunsanwo.

“The President recalls the height to which the deceased took Sunday Times in the 1970s, printing an unprecedented one million copies per week, and says he left his footprints on the sands of time.

“The late Ogunsanwo, President Buhari added, would also be remembered for his weekly column, which was full of wisdom, wit, humour, and pointed the way to a better nation.

“The departed journalist spent the latter part of his life as a clergyman, a fact that the President sees as a perfect blend of the secular and the spiritual, and which he commends to those coming behind.

“He prays that the soul of Ogunsanwo would rest in peace,” the statement said.

In a condolence message yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the death of the ace columnist, whose weekly articles and editorial contents helped to shape the country’s social and political narratives, is painful and heartbreaking.

He said: “The death of Mr. Ogunsanwo is a great loss to the media industry and he will be greatly missed. He made lots of positive impact during his life time, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria.”