By Godfrey Bivbere

Journalists covering the maritime beat are mourning the death of their foremost colleague, and former Maritime Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Ray Ugochukwu, who died last week.

A joint statement signed by the leadership of all the beat associations described the death of Ugochukwu as shocking, abrupt, and sudden.

According to the statement, “His departure a few days ago, quite abrupt and alarming, has left a dismal void among us as friends and colleagues, and in the industry where he had plied his trade with insightful and development-minded publications and writings over the decades.

“Sincere, untangled, and humble, his abrupt passing was only an eloquent testimony to the truths in the rich philosophies of life coined in timeless proverbs, which he often lavishly released at the slightest prompting. Now, they have become painful reminders of how fleeting and how short our breath of life is!

“A renowned journalist par excellence and distinguished administrator, Mr. Ugochukwu was a three-time president of the foremost maritime beat body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), besides his sterling membership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State chapter.

“Our hearts go to his bereaved wife and children particularly, and other friends and associates, including his immediate maritime beat family, the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), where he was also president until his passing.

“May God grant his soul eternal rest, and may his bereaved family, friends, and associates find comfort in the sincere, untangled, and humble life that he lived,” the statement noted.