“He was an avowed apostle of politics without bitterness.” -Atiku
President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have reacted to the passing on of one-time Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh.
Momoh died at the age of 81at his residence in Abuja.
Momoh had served as Minister of Information and Culture in the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida military government from September 1986 until 1990 was Chairman, African Conference of Information Ministers.
“His brand of loyalty is very rare in the politics of today. I will greatly miss him.”
Buhari said in a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, a copy of which was obtained by Persecondnews.
Buhari 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).
Commiserating 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 editor, manager, administrator, President and Trustee of the Guild of Editors, Buhari urged them to sustain his legacies.
He also condoled with the Auchi Kingdom, the government and people of Edo State on this great loss and prayed that God will grant the departed eternal rest and comfort family, friends and political associates in this period of grief.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar described the late Momoh as a good man.
In a message posted on his Twitter handle, @atiku, the former Vice-President wrote, “A good man, Prince Tony Momoh, has gone home. The veteran journalist, politician, and former minister was an avowed apostle of politics without bitterness. And like the prince he was, carried himself with dignity and respect. He will be sorely missed.
“My family and I, condole with his family; the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh (Ikelebe III) and his Council; the government and people of Edo State, his friends, and associates. May his soul rest in peace.”
The late Momoh was educated at Government School Auchi, the school Momoh the First had established at Auchi in 1922. He also attended Teacher Training College, Abraka, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the University of Lagos, and the Nigerian Law school.
He had degrees in Mass Communication and Law and was a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He worked in various capacities, including professional and administrative, in the Daily Times of Nigeria Group.
He also served as Chairman of the Board of Nigeria Airways and was a member of the Nigerian Press Council. Prince Tony Momoh was awarded many honours, including fellowships of the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and the Advertising Council of Nigeria.
He was a patron of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, and a holder of Selkyo Culture Award presented to him in Japan in recognition of his “great contribution to society” through his “consistent and valuable activities for the sake of the creation of peace and culture”.
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