The publisher of Nigeria NewsDirect Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi has died . The sudden death of Ibiyemi has thrown the entire media industry and the Great Grace Apostolic Church into mourning.
The Publisher of NewsDirect Newspaper and founder of the church, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi died at the age of 56.
His wife and children confirming the death to SlyeNews, said Ibiyemi died on July 4, 2023 at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan-Remo after a brief illness.
“We had thought that a beautiful and loving soul that the great Ife Prince was would be with us for a long while, but it has pleased the Almighty God, the unquestionable one to take him home for a deserved rest.
“Dr Samuel Ibiyemi, was a thoroughbred journalist, a servant of God and had even started out in life as a soldier with Nigerian Air Force before veering into journalism.
“He established Nigerian NewsDirect about 13 years ago and the paper has continued to be one of the leading newspapers in the country contributing to the expansion of the socio-economic development of the nation.
“Aside being a loving father and very caring boss to his staff and younger colleagues, Dr Ibiyemi was humility personified and a cheerful giver.
“He was no doubt a colossus of some sort who bestrode the media world during his lifetime.
“In submission to God, he planted Great Grace Apostolic Church, Gasline, Sango-Ota about four years back and was the presiding minister until he breathed his last.
“May his loving and caring soul rest in peace” the family said.
Meanwhile, the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria, (NAEC) mourns the death of its prominent member and the publisher of Nigerian NewsDirect, Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi
Chairman, NAEC, Mr Olu Phillips, described his paasage as a great loss to the energy sector, media, and Nigeria.
According to Phillips, the Nigerian energy industry and the media would miss his in-depth and balanced reporting of the energy sector.
“The measures he brought to in-depth and balancing reporting of energy sector and newspaper publishing is quite remarkable,” he added.
The NAEC Chairman also commiserated with the entire family of Ibiyemi, and urged them to see his passage as the will of God, adding that they should take solace in God for a quality life spent by the deceased.
He said: “On behalf of the entire leadership and members of NAEC, I mourn the passage of a proud NAEC, Dr Sam Ibiyemi. His death was a great loss to us all
“Dr Sam Ibiyemi was a man who gave life the best shot during his active days, and while he was hospitailed. He Lifted himself through hard work, unusual courage, extreme doggedness and commitment. He was a lesson to those that dared to dream and succeed.
He was a good ambassador of NAEC at every level and he contributed his quota to the growth and development of energy reporting in Nigeria.
His son, Wale Ibiyemi confirmed the death of his father to the leadership of National Association Energy Correspondents (NAEC) on Tuesday.
He noted that his father died after a long battle with PULMONARY EMBOLISM (Blood clots) at Babcock Teaching Hospital,Ilisan, Ogun state.