By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja: The Presidency on Monday described the death of Mr Peter Onwubuariri, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, as a big loss to President Bola Tinubu and the Presidential media team.
Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated this when he led Presidential Media Aides on a condolence visit to the deceased’s family on Monday in Abuja.
Onanuga described Onwubuariri as a hardworking, dedicated and dependable professional, who contributed immensely to the Media and Public Relations Department.
He said that the deceased played a significant role in communicating government activities and supporting the effective operation of the Presidential media team.
“We are here to condole with the deceased’s family. Peter’s death is a big loss to the department, even to the President of Nigeria, and that is why a statement was issued to that effect.”
Onanuga said the deceased’s death had created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill, recalling his contributions to Presidential events.
“Peter at times played the role of MC at Presidential events and he was very good at that; a professional par excellence, he was a very good writer.
“His death is a big loss to the entire department and we are going to miss him very much,”he said.
The Presidential spokesperson assured the family that the Presidency would continue to identify with them and provide necessary support during the mourning period.
Also speaking, Mr Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, described Onwubuariri as a consummate professional and workaholic.
Rahman said the deceased distinguished himself through professionalism, diligence and commitment to duty throughout his public service career.
“Peter was like a friend to me; I know him as a workaholic. There was never a time that we gave him an assignment that it does not turn out excellent.
“That was the kind of quality and calibre of a staff that Peter was. I was not surprised that he fell in love with the job because he derived so much satisfaction being a media person.”
Rahman said Onwubuariri served as an editor in the Media and Publicity Department, adding that his contributions to the Presidential Media team would not be forgotten.
He also used the occasion to urge media personnel to prioritise their health while carrying out their professional duties.
Also speaking, Mr Bashir Ahmad, Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, expressed shock over Onwubuariri’s death.
Ahmad described the deceased as a dependable partner and prayed for the repose of his soul.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Amarachi Nwanguma, elder sister of the deceased, expressed gratitude to the Presidential Media team for its show of love, solidarity and support.
She particularly appreciated President Tinubu for his condolence message, which she said was aired on the news.
Nwanguma said the family would communicate with the Presidency regarding arrangements for the burial after consultations had been concluded.
Miss Adaora Onwubuariri, the eldest child of the deceased and a Computer Science undergraduate, also thanked the Presidential Media team for its support.
“I am just grateful to everybody here today. I think I learned the true meaning of the saying that no man is an island.
“I am very grateful for his bosses, colleagues, his friends, who have been there for us throughout this past year,”she said. (NAN)
Source: News Agency of Nigeria