Dare Babalola
The Federal Government on Saturday mourned the death of Dr. Leon Habby Usigbe, Abuja Bureau Chief, Tribune Newspaper.
In a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Usigbe’s passing was described as a monumental loss to the nation.
Idris recalled the contribution of the deceased to nation-building by bridging the gap between the government and the press during the regular Ministerial Press Briefing Sessions convened by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Abuja, as well as at the Press Briefings in the Presidential Villa.
He wrote, “It is with profound shock and deep sadness that I received the heartbreaking news of the sudden demise of Dr. Leon Habby Usigbe, the Abuja Bureau Chief of Tribune Newspaper.
“Dr. Usigbe was an outstanding journalist, a highly cerebral professional, and a shining light within the Nigerian media landscape. His work was defined by integrity, depth, and an unflinching determination to the public good. As a pen-wielding advocate for democracy and national development, he brought intellectual rigour, insight, and balance to his reporting. In him, the Fourth Estate had a true patriot who used his craft to foster accountability and nation-building.”
He continued,0ⁿ0His death is a monumental loss, not only to Tribune Newspaper and the journalism profession but also to the entire nation. Nigeria has lost one of its finest media minds — a man whose intellect, courage, and clarity of purpose earned him the respect of colleagues, government officials, and the public alike.
“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, as well as personally, I extend heartfelt condolences to the management and staff of Tribune Newspaper, the government and people of Edo State, where he hailed from, as well as to his family, friends, and professional associates. May God Almighty comfort all those he has left behind and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
