Adeboye, Fawehinmi family, others laud Alex Ibru

Ibru-1THE General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye and wife of the late human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, Ganiat, were among those that paid the late Publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru, tributes at the weekend.

Others were Chief Femi Adeniyi-Williams, a lawmaker representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, Olumide Osoba; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN); Sefinatu Mohammed and former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Editorial Board Member of The Guardian, Mr. Akin Osuntokun.

In a condolence register, Adeboye thanked the Almighty for the life of the late Ibru but prayed that God would protect the family he left behind.

Ganiat Fawehinmi described Ibru as an exemplary man who gave many opportunities by establishing The Guardian Newspapers.

In his condolence message, Osoba wrote that Ibru was a gentle, kind and astute businessman. “Apart from being my father’s friend, the few opportunities I had with him, Ibru demonstrated love and always emphasised the need to move close to God,” he said.

For Chief Adeniyi-Williams, Ibru was a well-behaved person.   According to him, “Alex was my junior in Ibadan Grammar School at which point in time his elder brother, Michael, had already built the Ibrus name across the country but despite that, Alex remained humble and well-behaved.”

He added that Ibru was always supportive whenever he was approached. “I also want to commend his wife, Maiden, for the role she played in Alex’s life. I do not think a woman can do more than what she did in his life”, he added.

The Proprietress, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Laila Fowler, said it was unfortunate that Ibru died at the age of 66.

“He was such an intelligent and focused person whose continuous existence would have been of value to the country,” he said.

Ajumogobia wrote, “Alex was a complete gentleman and a patriotic Nigerian.”

Mrs. Morinsola Desalu, who claimed that her father, Prof. Adeboye Babalola was Alex’s teacher, described him as a generous person.

Osuntokun described Ibru as an enigma who was a silent hero of the June 12 struggle.

“I was on the Editorial Board for two years and was writing a column and not once did I see Alex Ibru and there is no way that will not form a deep impression on you. I was working fully and I did not see him once.

“He is somebody without exaggerating or distortion, you can describe him as an enigma. I think he was wise beyond his years the way he conducted his life. And he sent a powerful message by being silent. I think he was a silent hero of the June 12 struggle.

“The Guardian Newspaper played a very crucial role during that struggle and not once did we hear a complaint, nobody ever asked me to remove a word or line from my column. I took responsibility for my column but Mr. Alex Ibru took responsibility for the whole newspaper, for everybody writing in it and the editorial that came out everyday, often critical of the Abacha regime. So, for me, he is somebody that I greatly admire.”

Osuntokun also believed that the wife and children were lucky to have such a man as husband and father.

“As I said I never met him and had personal interactions with him but he was somebody who communicated very powerfully by his reticence. I condole with his widow and children and congratulate them for having that kind of person as husband and father,” he added.