Senator Bala Mohammed, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, has extolled the qualities of the late Dr. Alex Ibru, Publisher/Chairman of The Guardian newspapers, as a true advocate of objective and independent journalism.

He recalled that the kind of journalism Ibru promoted in the country was anchored on proper research, balance and intellectualism.

In his condolence message, the Minister described the death of Ibru as a devastating blow to the nation, especially the media industry.

He said the news of the death came to him as a rude shock because Alex Ibru died in his prime when his services were still highly needed.

He said: “Chief Alex Ibru held on tenaciously to the refined ethics of the media profession which are anchored on research, truth and justice for nearly 30 years since the birth of the highly- respected newspaper in 1983.

“No doubt, this is a rude shock not just for the Ibru and The Guardian families, but for the wider media family, Delta, his home state and Nigeria as a whole.”

While paying tribute on behalf of his family, FCT Administration and the entire residents of FCT to the Ibru family, Mohammed urged those left behind to take solace in the fact that the late Ibru lived a good life worthy of emulation.

“It is not how long but how well someone lived on this world that matters most,” he added.

Senator Mohammed also extended his condolences to the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, and Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.