The Chairman and Publisher of The Guardian, Alexander Ibru, is dead. He died around 1.30pm on Sunday at the age 66 years.
A statement from The Guardian said Ibru died in the course of an illness. It added that the deceased, a native of Agbhara-Otor, in Delta State, was born on March 1, 1945.
Ibru attended the Yaba Methodist Primary School(1951-1957), Ibadan Grammar School(1958-1960), Igbobi College, Lagos(1960-1963) and the University of Trent (formerly Trent Polytechnic;1967-1970), where he studied Business Economics.
After working briefly in the family business, Ibru soon became a successful businessman. He founded The Guardian in 1983.
The statement read, “Ibru is the Chairman of Trinity Foundation, the vehicle through which he did his massive philanthropy, giving support to the poor and the needy. He was also the founder of the Ibru Centre which promotes ecumenism and religious harmony.
“Alex Ibru is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club International. He was minister of Internal Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and member of the highest Provisional Ruling Council from 1993 to 1995. As minister, he introduced far-reaching reforms in the management of Nigeria’s prisons and the Immigration Service.
“He is a recipient of D.Litt honoris causa of the University of Port Harcourt.”
However, prominent Nigerians have been reacting to the death of Ibru, describing it as shocking and a loss to the country.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the passage of the astute politician and human rights activist was painful and shocking.
Fashola said, “He is one of the greatest industrialists and politicians in this country. He will be greatly missed for his contributions to national development. One of the leading lights of Nigeria’s economic and political landscape has just passed on.”
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described the death as a great loss to Nigeria. “It is a reminder to all that at the end of it all, everyone must be answerable to the Almighty God,” he said.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said with Ibru’s passage, the commune of patriots was fast thinning out.
Ajimobi said, “There is nowhere the history of patriots and those who spoke the truth would be written that a sizeable number of pages would not be dedicated to this foremost patriot and exemplary Nigerian.”
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said he received the news of Ibru’s death with shock, adding that the development had robbed the country of a patriot and a committed statesman who contributed immensely to nation building and welfare of the masses.
Fayemi said, “He was a pragmatic leader, an effective and efficient manager of men and resources. He maintained a good name both in government and business. He also displayed a high sense of altruism and concern for the common man in the course of his public and private life.”
Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, said the late Ibru was an exemplary leader and father, whose contribution to the growth of journalism and the nation’s economy could not be over emphasised.
He said, “The resultant attempt on the life of the late publisher by the military following his pursuit to ensure the enthronement of democracy would ever be fresh in the memory of Nigerians. Ibru has through his noble deeds while on earth immortalised his own name.”
The Action Congress of Nigeria National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described Ibru as “a quiet man who has shown that life is all about principles and not about privileges and position.”
Christain Association of Nigeria described the death as s a big loss to the nation and media world.
A statement by CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said, “Mr. Ibru was a good man who interfaced his business acumen with true conscience as he demonstrated during the despotic era of Late General Sanni Abacha by quitting the cabinet at the most trying time.
“The Guardian publisher will be remembered for his contributions to political and social development of this country.”
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