Saraki, Ekweremadu Pay Tribute To Channels TV’s State House Correspondent, Chukwuma Onuekwusi

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and his debuty, senator Ike Ekweremadu, have paid tribute to Channels Television’s State House Correspondent, Mr Chukuma Onuekwusi, who died this morning. The Senate leaders paid tribute to the broadcast journalist in separate statements after receiving news of his death. Dr Saraki, who stated he was shocked once he received the news of Mr Onuekwusi’s death, hailed his contribution to journalism, describing him as a diligent, passionate and conscientious newsman who left no one doubtful concerning his professional competence. “The news of the demise of Chukwuma Onuekwusi came to me with nice shock. He was a thoroughbred broadcast journalist whose reports always leave you wanting more,” the Senate President stated in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja. Dr Saraki also commiserated with Mr Onuekwusi’s immediate family, the management and employees of Channels TV and the State House Correspondents over his passing. He added, “I believe his death has left a vacuum in the broadcast industry that cannot easily be filled. we can only thank God for his eventful life, contributions to national development and service to humanity. He shall be sorely missed,” he stated. The Senate President prayed that God should grant the soul of the Mr Onuekwusi eternal rest, and called on other broadcast journalists to learn from his humility, dynamism, and dedication to his job. Ekweremadu stated in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu that Mr Onuekwusi’s death was an enormous loss, not just for Channels TV but for the media industry and the nation. He said, “I received with pain and a deep sense of loss the news of the passing on of Mr Onuekwusi. He was a thoroughbred journalist, who brought a high sense of professionalism to bear on his work. He made Channels TV reports on the Presidency authoritative and delightful for millions of Nigerians, including me. “It is sad that he was cut down by death at the prime of his career when he still had so much to offer the nation and her democracy. but he certainly left indelible marks on the sands of time.” Mr Onuekwusi died aged fifty five at a private hospital in Abuja in the early hours of today. An excellent newsperson who joined Channels TV in 1998, he showed great passion for his job and covered many beats for Channels TV before he was seconded to cover the Presidential Villa as the State House correspondent. He is survived by his wife and kids.