Buhari, Senate President, Sanwo-Olu, Ibori mourn Tony Momoh

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief at the passing of his longtime ally, friend, political loyalist, and former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh.

TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Momoh passed on yesterday (Monday) at the age of 80 years.

Reacting to the passage, President Buhari said Prince Momoh stood with him through thick and thin, adding: “His brand of loyalty is very rare in the politics of today. I will greatly miss him.”

The President recalled that as chairman, Media and Publicity of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Campaign Organisation in the 2003 and 2007 elections as well as Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the late Auchi Prince contributed in no small measure to the growth and strengthening of the organizations, leading to the eventual formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Buhari commiserated with the media industry on the loss of a veteran who put in a lot to raise the bar of the profession in various ways as an editor, manager, administrator, President, and Trustee of the Guild of Editors, urging them to sustain his legacies.

While also condoling with the Auchi Kingdom, the government, and people of Edo State on this great loss, the President prayed that God will grant the departed eternal rest and comfort family, friends, and political associates in this period of grief.

Senate President commiserates with Edo Government, APC over Momoh’s death

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, shares the grief of the family, friends and political associates of a former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, over his death on Monday.

Lawan commiserates with the government and people of Edo State and the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he was a highly respected leader, on the loss.

“Prince Tony Momoh as a journalist made indelible contributions to the development of the noble profession in Nigeria.

“As Minister of Information, Prince Momoh, through his ‘Letter to my countrymen’ series, professionally and effectively disseminated and managed public information in a manner that was unique to him.

“As chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), he helped nurture the party to a very strong showing at the polls within months of its formation.

Prince Momoh was also a key facilitator of the emergence of the APC in 2014.

“The APC will miss this principled political leader particularly in this period that the party is repositioning as a grassroots-based political party and for improved performance of its leadership of our great country,” Lawan says.

The Senate President prays for divine comfort for his loved ones and the fortitude to bear his loss.

Lawan also prays for sweet repose of his gentle soul.

Tony Momoh´s death, colossal loss to Nigeria — Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the death of former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh, as a colossal loss to Nigeria and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Monday, said that the death of the elder statesman, politician and journalist was painful and heartbreaking.

He urged family, friends and colleagues of the deceased, as well as leadership of the APC to work towards immortalising the late Momoh.

According to him, Momoh stood for and advocated for a better Nigeria during his lifetime.

Sanwo-Olu said that the country would sorely miss the rich experience and knowledge of the former Daily Times Editor and ex-National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), especially his contributions to national issues through politics and his editorial contents.

“The death of Prince Tony Momoh is a great loss to Nigeria. The late Momoh made lots of positive impact in Nigeria during his life time as a journalist, media manager, lawyer, politician and elder statesman.

“As Minister of Information and Culture between 1986 and 1990 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, Prince Momoh served his nation meritoriously.

“As a democrat, he played active roles in the formation of various political platforms at the transition stage of Nigeria from military dictatorship to civilian rule.

“He led his former party, the Congress for Political Change (CPC) to form the APC with other political parties and contributed positively to the party’s victories in the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

“I sympathise with President Muhammadu Buhari, the entire leadership and members of our party,´´ he said.

The governor also commiserate with the government and people of Edo State on the loss of their illustrious son.

Sanwo-Olu prayed that God would grant him eternal rest and give the immediate family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Nigeria has lost a remarkable statesman – Ibori

Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori has mourned Nigeria’s former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh who died on Monday.

Ibori said with the passing of Prince Tony Momoh on Monday 1 February 2021, aged 80, Nigeria has lost a remarkable elder statesman – a renowned journalist, the first Chairman, Board of Directors of the Independent Newspapers Ltd (INL), an eminent public servant, a totally detrabilised Nigerian, and a pillar of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who nevertheless, had a rewarding relationship with members of the other political parties.

Chief Ibori said: “Though Prince Tony Momoh and I were never in the same party all through, he was civilized enough to respect the boundaries of friendship”.

Ibori recalled that he and the late Prince Momoh, who was Nigeria’s Information Minister from 1986 to 1990, had a rewarding friendship that lasted for decades. This bond became stronger when Prince Momoh graciously served as the first Chairman, Board of Directors of the Independent Newspapers Ltd (INL). He said that in that capacity, Tony Momoh’s professionalism was on display as he reached into the great depths of his experience and journalism prowess to help give birth to an exciting newspaper stable which introduced many novel features into Nigerian journalism.

Chief Ibori condoled Tony Momoh’s family and the Momoh Royal Dynasty of Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, for this pronounced loss and prayed that God will give them the fortitude to bear this loss and grant Momoh’s gentle soul eternal rest.