From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has announced a N50 million Endowment Fund for the training and welfare of the children of the late Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu.
Governor Wike announced the endowment fund yesterday, during the burial of Mr. Nwakaudu at his home town, Umuanyi Ogbodoikwu in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
Governor Wike described the demise of his late media aide as most unfortunate, saying that he distinguished himself by serving the state and government with utmost dedication and loyalty.
The governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chukwuemeka Woke, noted that the late Nwakaudu also sacrificed his time, energy and life to the service of the state.
According to him, Nwakaudu was bold, brilliant and insightful while informing and disseminating government policies and programmes.
“He did not also forget his colleagues in the journalism profession as he ensured that there was no friction between the government and the media in the country”, he noted.
The governor assured the Nwakaudu family of his commitment to ensure that the relationship that existed between him and his late aide would continue to flourish.
Also speaking the Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State, Ernest Chinwo, who spoke on behalf of the NUJ in the State, said the union lost a thorough bred professional.
Chinwo noted the valuable contributions of late Nwakaudu to the journalism profession, saying he would be greatly missed.
In her speech, wife of the deceased, Mrs. Monica Nwakaudu, described the death of her husband as unexpected and a big blow to the family.
Speaking on behalf of the Nwakaudu’s family, Chief E.O. Nwakaudu, expressed gratitude to Rivers Government for the support given to the family.
Earlier in his sermon titled “Prepare to Die,” Pastor Innocent Aleke of City of Faith Ministry International admonished sympathisers to live good lives.