The League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States and a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, have condoled with the Management of Punch Nigeria Limited on the death of its Chairman, Mr. Gbadebowale Aboderin.
The League, in a condolence message dated June 2, 2018 and signed by the Baba Adinni of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Chief Sarafa Tunji Isola, expressed shock and sadness at the sudden death of Aboderin, which it said came “at a most critical time in the history of our nation, when his cosmopolitan outlook, maturity, wisdom and wealth of experience are highly needed in addressing the myriads of social and economic challenges facing the country.”
It further described Aboderin’s demise as “a sad loss, not just to The Punch family, but to the entire country.”
The Islamic body also noted the late Punch chairman’s great contributions to the publishing, entertainment and sport industries, saying, “He has left an indelible mark in these areas, and also a vacuum, which will be difficult to fill.”
The League, therefore, prayed that the Almighty Allah should console his immediate family, the Punch family and the nation in general.
The PDP presidential aspirant on his part expressed pain and sadness over Aboderin’s death.
Turaki in a statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity, KTT Campaign Organisation, Mr. Sola Atere, said he was deeply pained by the fact that the Punch chairman died at a critical period when the youths of the country were looking up to people like him, who were exhibiting the ‘can do spirit,’ to run successful organisations.
The PDP presidential aspirant also noted that Aboderin would be remembered for his humility and entrepreneurial skill in sustaining his father’s legacy of providing jobs for Nigerians through Punch Newspapers Limited, which he expanded and modernised into a reputable institution.
Turaki, therefore, urged the Aboderin Family to take solace in the fact that “the good which Wale did will continue to resonate after him, just like his illustrious father.”
The presidential aspirant also condoled with the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria “for suddenly losing one of their shining lights, as well as the millions of subscribers of Punch Newspapers both in print and online.”
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Punch chairman.
