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Editor, Journalists Pay Last Respects to Late THISDAY Correspondent

The Group News Editor, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Davidson Iriekpen, and journalists from Ekiti and Ogun States at the weekend paid their last respects to the Ado Ekiti State Correspondent of TTHISDAY Newspapers, Alhaji Toba Suleimon, who died last month in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Speaking in Abeokuta during the 40th-day Fidau prayers organised by Suleimon’s family, Iriekpen said the news of Suleimon’s demise was still a shock to him.

He described him as a dedicated and hard-working reporter, saying all through his tenure as News Editor, the deceased didn’t give him any problem.

“I had to come here personally to pay my last respects to Toba in spite of my tight engagements this weekend because of the type of person he was when he was alive.

“All through my tenure as News Editor, Toba did not give me any trouble. Though I didn’t meet him in person when he was alive, we always spoke on phone.

“He always sent his stories early and they were always well written. I never for once had cause to call him on phone to harass him. Unlike some that we have to call before they do their jobs, Toba always knew what to do.

“I will definitely miss him. Even my organisation, THISDAY, will miss him.”

Turning to the children of the deceased, Iriekpen urged them to emulate their late father who was dedicated to his job.

“To his children, I urge you all at this juncture to emulate your late father. You have heard the encomiums showered on him today. Take your studies very seriously.”

To Toba’s wife, Mrs. Zainab Suleiman, the News Editor appealed to take heart and be strong for her children.

“Madam, all we can tell you now is to take heart. Only God can comfort you. And on behalf of the management of THISDAY Newspapers, take heart madam. God will keep you and the children safe from evil,” he said.

Also, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Ekiti State, Mr. Rotimi Ojomoyele, who led other journalists from Ado-Ekiti to Abeokuta, described Toba’s death as a shocking one to members of the chapel.

Ojomoyele, who is of the Blueprint Newspapers, said Toba was a journalist deep in his profession, saying “from his vast journalism skills, we that are coming behind will tap from his knowledge but his gone, the vacuum would be difficult to fill.”

He added: “We will really miss him, may God guide his family. It is only God that can console the family, may God console them all.”

Meanwhile, in his sermon, missioner, Islamic Youth League, Abeokuta, Mallam Jubril Lawal, prayed for the departed soul and that Allah should grant him peace and perfect rest.

He said in Islam, death is not a penalty but means to an end, saying “He, who created death and life that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in mighty Oft-forgiving.

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