By Emmanuel Iriogbe, Abuja.
* Former colleagues eulogies him.
He died over the week in Kano where he was the Punch newspapers correspondent in the state.
Known for his penchant for always paying attention to details, he was one time production editor at the now defunct National Interest newspapers where himself, then Editor, Hakeem Bello and Emmanuel Iriogbe acting as the group News Editor held sway as the only three men standing churning out the daily edition of the paper in the winding stage of the paper in 2007.
He later went on to take over from Emmanuel Iriogbe as editor of Niger Delta Inquirer newspapers in Lagos before moving over to the Punch newspapers.
Meanwhile,Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed deepest condolences to the State Chapters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Correspodents’ Chapel over the death of Mr Ted Odogwu, Correspondent of Punch Newspapers in Kano.
The governor’s condolence message was contained in a Statement made available to newsmen by his Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa in Kano on Monday
The governor described late Ted Odogwu as a throughbred journalist whose wealth of experience contributed to the development and practice of journalism not only in Kano but in the entire nation.
Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf also aknowledged the contributions of the late journalist in mentoring and moulding younger generation of the Pen Profession who are now prominent Journalists.
He encouraged his families and Colleagues to take solace in his loss and have faith in God as He is the giver and taker of life.
The governor, on behalf of the government and good people of the state extend heartfelt condolences to the families and professional colleagues of the deceased.
In his condolence message, Hakeem Bello, said; ” It’s quite sad, it’s quite sad. Ted Odogwu was a hard working production man that could also write.
“All I can say is that it is a great loss to the journalism profession. I pray for the repose of his soul”
Recounting their days together, Emmanuel Iriogbe, Editor-in-chief at penpushers online media said he remembers with nostalgia his days with the late Ted Odogwu.
” Since our parts crossed in 2006 at the National Interest newspapers, we have always been in touch. The three of us, our editor, Hakeem Bello, my humble self edited the 48 page newspaper daily while Ted acted both as the proof reader and production manager. We worked through the nights into the early hours of the following day. He even has to make the office his home.
” Our parts again crossed after the winding up of National Interest newspapers when I pioneered the birth of the Niger Delta newspapers, a subsidiary of the Abuja Inquirer and he succeeded me as Editor.
When I moved over to the Northern bureau of the Vanguard newspapers, I was privileged to be in the Media team that embarked on a media tour of the 36 states of the federation under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of journalists, NUJ, in conjunction with Red Carpet organisation.
When the then coordinator of the journalists for the tour, then secretary of council, FCT, Emmanuel Ogbeche wanted a correspondent from the north, I did not hesitate to invite Ted Odogwu who joined us.
“I will sorely miss him. He was a good man. May his soul rest in perfect peace.