BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI — More tributes poured in, yesterday, in honour of late Vanguard columnist, Mr. Pini Jason, as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, described his death as a huge loss to the country.

He also lamented the death of Dr. Aloy Aguwa who served as commissioner under the government of Ikedi Ohakim.

Ihedioha, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, read: “The deaths of Dr. Aloy Aguwa and Pini Jason Onyegbadue are best described as sad, shocking and unfortunate.”

Ihedioha described Mr. Jason as “an embodiment of excellence, who contributed immensely to the regeneration and development of journalism in Nigeria.”

In his own tribute, a former member of Champion Newspapers editorial board, Mr. Emeka Omeihe, said Jason’s death came to him as a rude shock.

“He was unarguably one of the great columnists of our time. He will be greatly missed by his team of readers.

Enugu State governor, Sullivan Chime, described  Pini Jason as a true patriot who devoted his career to the pursuit of national development and protection of the rights of ordinary citizens.

The governor in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, stated that Mr Jason was an exemplary journalist who had made valuable contributions to the social political and economic advancement of the country through his witty and incisive appraisal of national issues.

Chime expressed his sympathies to the Management of Vanguard Newspapers and the deceased’s family urging them to find solace in the noble and patriotic values that he fought for all through his lifetime.

Also, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described  Pini Jason as one of the best, and a  thorough-bred and erudite professional who straddled the journalism profession with consummate intellectual bent.

He said:  “Jason was never tired in dishing out his sharp pen to educate, entertain and alert readers on topical issues in his ever witty column.

“At the worst of times, Jason was there to always point out the folly of Military dictatorship. Ofcourse at the dawn of democracy, he never relented as he continued to objectively criticise, proffer veritable solutions and suggest the best way forward.”