President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu are among several personalities who have commiserated with the Enahoro family and the media community over Monday’s death of eminent journalist celebrated columnists, Peter Enahoro.
Tinubu said that Enahoro’s death marked the end of a “very accomplished and extraordinary life of devotion to media excellence and national development”.
He recalled the virtuous role Enahoro played in Nigeria’s march to nationhood through the instrumentality of the media as a journalist of note of his era.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by Mr Tunde Rahman for the Office of the President-elect, Tinubu described Enahoro, former Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director of Daily Times, who was famous for his pen name, Peter Pan, as a patriot who devoted his entire working life and journalism career to the quest for a better Nigeria where every citizen can find joy and fulfilment.
Peter was the younger brother of the late nationalist and elder statesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro.
Tinubu further said: “The news of the death of Mr. Peter Enahoro at 88 brought sadness because our society is always better and enriched by the wisdom of our venerable senior citizens like veteran journalists in the class of Peter Pan who shaped and changed the course of history with the power of their pen.
“An author, businessman and publisher, Mr. Enahoro will be remembered and forever cherished for his unwavering belief in the greatness of Nigeria and for using the instrumentality of media practice to promote good governance, rule of law and social justice in our country.
“His seminal book, How To Be A Nigerian, published in 1966 will be a reference material on good citizenship. Mr. Enahoro accomplished so much within the media profession and nation-building, becoming Editor of the highly influential Sunday Times at the age of 23 in 1958, and Editor of the Daily paper in 1962 before assuming the position of Editor-in-Chief in 1966.
“He returned home from his sojourn abroad in the 90’s to also man the position of Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the same Daily Times.
“I extend my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the immediate family, associates and lovers of this famous and committed Nigerian nationalist, even as I urge us all to follow his examples.
“Peter Pan did extraordinarily well for the journalism profession and for Nigeria. I wish him eternal rest”.
In mourning the passage of renowned columnist, Sanwo-Olu described his death as a colossal loss to journalism and the media industry in Nigeria.
In a condolence message issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor said the death of the ace columnist is painful and heartbreaking.
Sanwo-Olu said that the rich experience and knowledge of the late Enahoro, described as “perhaps Africa’s best-known international journalist” will be sorely missed.
He said: “The death of our iconic journalist, Peter Enahoro, is a great loss to the media industry and Nigeria, as well as his family and friends. ‘Peter Pan’ will be greatly missed. He made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria.
“Peter Enahoro also made the mark as an international journalist. He worked as Contributing Editor of Radio Deutsche Welle in Cologne, Germany; Africa Editor of National Zeitung in Basel, Switzerland and Editorial Director of New African magazine in London.
“He was a role model to many journalists in Nigeria having nurtured media practitioners who have become leading voices in the journalism profession and leaders in different sectors.
“On behalf of the Lagos State Government, I sympathise with the Enahoro family in Uromi, Edo State over the death of the veteran and accomplished journalist. I also commiserate with the deceased friends, colleagues, and journalists in Nigeria. I pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.
