By Adadainfo
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Thursday, expressed sadness over the demise of a foremost Nigerian-born South Africa-based journalist, Mr John Chiahemen.
Chiahemen, who was the bureau chief of Reuters in Nigeria, died at the age of 72 in a South African hospital.
Ortom said the death of the international journalist who had been contributing to the development of society, especially on global peace initiatives, is a huge loss to Nigeria.
Governor Ortom lamented that Mr Chiahemen died at a time when his wealth of experience and expertise in conflict management was needed to navigate through the murky waters of the Nigerian politics.
He said the exploits, courage and resilience of Mr Chiahemen in the modern media engagement both in Nigeria and other African countries where he worked with distinction were exemplary.
Adadainfo reports that Chiahemen worked briefly with Abubakar Atiku’s media company, Gotel, as its first managing director in 2015.
The governor said Benue State and Nigeria had lost a patriot and yhorough-bred media practioner.
He urged the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the late Chiahemen left positive footprints in the sands of time.
He said, “He was a very resourceful journalist who worked for peace and upliftment of the society. He lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.”
Chiahemen left behind a wife, three children and one grand-child and hails from Mbadede, Vandeikya local government area of Benue State, our correspondent gathered.
