Journalists, friends, others bid Usigbe farewell |

The remains of Dr. Leon Usigbe, the Abuja Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, were on Saturday laid to rest in his residence, at Karshi, Abuja amid tears and wailing. 

The State House Correspondent of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers and accomplished and renowned journalist, passed on to glory on July 25, 2025.

His remains were lowered to the mother earth at exactly 12:40pm shortly after the funeral mass held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Karshi, Abuja, officiated by Rev. Fr. David Osagie Akahomhen. 

The atmosphere was sombre at his residence while at his graveside tears rolled down the faces of both immediate family members and other mourners expressing anguish of a great loss. 

The members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT Council, led by its Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, staff of the Abuja Bureau of Nigerian Tribune, State House Correspondents as well as Editors from various media houses in Abuja and parish members were on hand to pay their last respect to Dr. Usigbe.

Before the commencement of the requiem mass, the body was reverently placed by the pallbearers at the entrance of the Church to be received by the priest with the ministers bearing the cross, lit candles, holy water, the Holy Bible and a white pall as symbols of faith and eternal life. 

Presiding over the requiem mass, Rev. Fr. Akahomhen, preaching from Romans 8:14-23, hailed the late Usigbe as a man who lived a life of impact.

The priest, who described Usigbe’s death as sudden, said he was a man known for offering support to the church and helping those around him to shine.

He also hailed him as a committed family man. 

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He cited an example of when kidnappers attacked his home while he was away in the US.

He took steps from abroad to secure his family.

According to Osagie, when Dr. Usigbe returned, fear disappeared from his family.

The Reverend described the late Usigbe as a man of courage to the very end.

He read the text message that the late Usigbe, who died during a brief illness, sent to him.

It read: “Please Father, don’t worry about me, I have lived a good life.” 

Osagie called on friends and associates of the late Usigbe not to forsake and abandon his family after the burial.

Speaking on behalf of the management of the Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, the Acting Abuja Bureau Chief, Prince Jacob Segun Olatunji, described the late Usigbe as a dedicated and thorough-bred professional who distinguished himself in his career and as the State House Correspondent of the Organisation. 

Prince Olatunji, who conveyed the sympathy of the management and staff to the family, prayed that God should give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging the family to take solace in the fact that he had lived a fulfilled life. 

Also speaking on behalf of the media team of the Presidency, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President in the office of the Vice President, said presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, directed him to represent the team.

Nkwocha, who described Usigbe as a gentleman with dedication to fitness and positive outlook, said he was a journalist of high standards whose passing left grappling emotions.

On his part, Fred Ituah, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, said: “Dr. Leon was a brother, a kinsman and somebody most of us looked up to in journalism.

“His death, though shocking, quite surprising too, we are hoping that God will console his family and the rest of us who will still carry on the mantle he has left within the journalism space.

“We will continue to make him proud and do all we can do.

“And another point is that for our colleagues, journalists, when you are in need, in trouble or ill, always pick up your phone.

“A problem shared is sometimes half solved.

“A good number of us were not even aware that he was ill until it was too late.

“And I am hoping that going forward, some of these incidents will be prevented.

“And if our colleagues are in need and they need us, we should always be our brother’s keeper, like the Bible prescribed.

“I pray for the repose of his soul.”

In her remarks, Dr. Usigbe’s daughter, who is a lawyer, Osose Ivy Usigbe, said that the hearts of the family were heavy for losing a father that was always there for them.

She said what made her late father great was not only his professional brilliance, but his humanity. 

According to her: “He gave love freely, valued honesty above all, and carried himself with humility that made everyone feel seen and respected. 

“He was comfortable in the profession as he was with his family.

“And to us, he was our foundation and strength,”

She thanked relatives, colleagues, and friends for honouring their late father in a special way.

According to her: “We appreciate our relatives, who stood by us from the very beginning, colleagues, and church members who came from far and near. “It has enlightened us that we are not walking this road alone.”  

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