Tinubu shares condolences for State House media staff, calls death a major loss

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of Peter Onwubuariri, an assistant director of information and public relations at the Presidential Villa. He called his passing a big loss for the presidency and the State House media team.

On Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, shared the president’s condolences. He led a group of presidential media aides and members of the Media and Public Relations Department to visit the family of the late official in Abuja.

The delegation included the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, and the Senior Special Assistant on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo.

Mr Onanuga described Mr Onwubuariri as a hardworking and reliable professional. He said Peter’s work helped the Media and Public Relations Department inform people about government activities.

“We are here to condole with the deceased’s family. Peter’s death is a big loss to the department, even to the President of Nigeria, and that is why a statement was issued to that effect,” Mr Onanuga said.

“His death has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill. I remember Peter often played the role of MC at presidential events, and he was very good at that. He was a top-notch professional and a great writer.

“His death is a big loss to the entire department, and we are going to miss him very much.”

Mr Onanuga assured the family that the presidency would continue to support them as they grieve.

Mr Rahman remembered the deceased as a dedicated professional who gave his all to public service. He said Mr Onwubuariri stood out through his hard work and commitment, noting that his impact on the presidential media team will not be forgotten.

“Peter was like a friend to me. I knew him as a workaholic. There was never a time we gave him an assignment that it did not turn out excellent. That was the kind of quality and caliber of staff that Peter was,” Mr Rahman said.

“I was not surprised that he loved the job because he found so much joy in being a media person.

“He was an editor in the Media and Publicity Department. The message I take from this is to remind media workers to take care of their health while working.”

Bashir Ahmad, a special assistant on new media to former President Muhammadu Buhari, also expressed shock at Mr Onwubuariri’s death. He described him as a reliable partner.

Speaking for the family, Amarachi Nwanguma, the deceased’s elder sister, thanked the presidential media team for their support and solidarity. She specifically mentioned the president’s condolence message.

She said the family would reach out to the presidency after finalizing burial arrangements.

The deceased’s eldest child, Adaora Onwubuariri, a computer science student, also expressed gratitude to the delegation for their support.

“I am just grateful to everybody here today. I think I learned the true meaning of the saying that no man is an island,” she said.

“I am very thankful to his bosses, colleagues, and friends who have been there for us throughout this past year.

“I have truly learned that my father was a very good man. I have always known that, but today is a confirmation.