By  JIMITOTA ONOYUME
PORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has lauded the sterling qualities of the late George Onah, former Bureau Chief of Vanguard newspaper, Port Harcourt.

Onah passed on in his sleep on November 28, 2011. Until his demise he was an Assistant News Editor with  the Vanguard newspaper, a medium he joined about 17 years ago.

The governor who spoke during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Port Harcourt, said Onah would be greatly missed by the media industry. He described him as a core professional who made sacrifices even at the risk of his life for his profession.

Represented by his Commissioner for  Information, Mrs Ibim Semenitary, Amaechi prayed God to comfort the deceased’s family members .

Onah, who died in his sleep, did not show any sign of illness before his sudden demise as he convened a staff meeting in his office, on Friday November 26, where one of the issues discussed was how to set up a cooperative society among the workers in the Port Harcourt office for their overall benefit.

On Saturday, November 27,  he was also at the office.  Some of those who were with him at the premises of the Vanguard said he left them at about 8pm, looking hale and hearty.

“So, you can see why we were shocked at the sudden news of his death. He looked okay all the while and indeed chatted with everybody. He left here at about 8pm, only for us to hear he was dead the next day,” a colleague lamented.

The family told sympathizers that the late Onah came in at about 11pm and after a meal of rice, went to bed and never woke up.

They said they were alarmed the following day when they came to wake him up  to remove his car to enable a neighbour he was blocking drive out.

Onah, a former De fence Correspondent of Vanguard, was arrested on May 10, 1996 for a story he did on reshuffling of military personnel. He was released same day and later re-arrested on May 15 in Lagos by the military junta and kept in solitary confinement for about a year.

Onah, who spoke about his detention several years later, said his solitary confinement brought him closer to his creator as he spent most of the time praying.

According to Onah, the Publisher of Vanguard newspaper, Mr Sam Amuka, did not abandon him  while he was in detention. He told close friends: ‘’Publisher ordered that my salary be paid to my family.’’ At the end of his ordeal, he was asked to proceed on leave for one year, “by the Publisher while my salary was running,’’ before he was later transferred to head the Cross Rivers state office of the Vanguard. He was posted to Port Harcourt on December 13, 2005 as the Bureau Chief.

Tributes:Rivers State Editor of Vanguard, Mr Jimitota Onoyume who worked in the Editorial unit with Onah described him as a motivator and a good team player.

Onah was looking forward to his retirement letter from the Vanguard.”

Former Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the governor of Rivers State, Mr Blessing Wikina, said in a text message to Vanguard that the approach by late Onah to media practice was edifying.

“We have lost a true example of an elder colleague whose approach to media practice was edifying. I recall his wise advice to me while as CPS made me succeed. So death, be not proud for George lives in us.”

Comments from Face Book walls on him:

Joe Effiong

Oh George! another professional is gone; another fine gentleman will no more be seen just like John Ogbedu, Kunle Johnson, Aniekan Bassey, Haruna Acheneje, name them.

Who will write the story of their exploits; who will take over from them? What is life? Maybe a typographic error, a misspelling which when corrected, is no more. George, Rest in Peace; if at all journalists rest in peace. Until our creation-al mistakes are corrected; we shall soldier on.

Someday, we will sit down again, compare notes, share some beer, either in Heaven or somewhere close to it; Heaven Annex, because there is always good and bad stories to write, and get kicked with the butt. Don’t mind me George; Safe Journey. Please greet others.

Terver Akase , Chairman Federated Correspondents chapel of the NUJ – Rivers state

Today is a black day for journalism practice in Rivers State and Nigeria in general. The Rivers State Bureau Chief of Vanguard Newspaper Uncle George Onah is no more! Federated Correspondents’ Chapel Rivers State is in tears! NUJ mourns! Friends, please  join me in commiserating with the bereaved family.

Okafor Ofiebor , News magazine

George Onah fought the civil war as a soldier and survived. As the Defence Reporter for Vanguard he was jailed in underground cell by the Military. Last month, he was caught in crossfire when armed robbers robbed Diamond Bank, PH. His car was riddled with bullets but he came out  unscathed. But he told me a few weeks ago that:’My nightmare and shock over that robbery attack had refused to go.’ GEORGE ONAH IS DEAD

I am sad and devastated; hit by the sad news of the death of one of the most trustworthy and respectable gentlemen of the press. I am actually too shaken to think now. May your gentle, sincere and honest soul rest in perfect at the bosom of the Lord, till we meet to part no more. Adieu.

Ifeoma Ikeji  of Business Day

Daddy, it sounds so unbelievable that you have suddenly left us. You cared so much about how am faring in the profession and will always urge me to trudge on. You even promised to lead other colleagues to my wedding with a trailer-load of gifts all the way from PH.

I can remember hearing you talk about retiring to the village to farm. Why do you have to go now shortly after escaping armed robbers bullets? What a World! May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace! And May God keep and provide for your family left behind.

Oluchi Iwuoha

It’s so painful to say goodbye to such a wonderful senior colleague. Sir, I thanked God so much for saving you from the dare devil robbers, and you even commented on my wall that I made you a star through my report, as friends called you from Europe after reading the story. Little did we all know that you still had a very short time to stay

Anayo Onukwugba, Leadership newspaper

I was with George Onah, the Port Harcourt Bureau Chief of Vanguard Newspaper in his office last Friday, November 23 and we spoke on phone later at about 6.00 pm on that same day. He was full of life when he said; “My guy, we will see on Monday”. I did not know that that would be my last telephone chat with ‘Prof’. Today, I got an SMS that the ‘Old Soldier’ slept and could not wake up this morning. Adieu, great pen-pusher!

With us here. Chai, Oga George, the  news of your  demise today struck me like a thunderbolt!