The death has been announced of the Ekiti State Correspondent of ThisDay Newspapers, Mr. Toba Suleiman. He died at the Sacred Hearts Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta, Ogun State few hours after he was admitted having complained of a backache.
The deceased worked in Ogun State before he was transferred to Ekiti about eight years ago; although his immediate family still resides in Abeokuta.
PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mr. Suleiman had complained of repeated backache and was taken to the hospital by his wife on Saturday night where he died at about 3:00 a.m. on Sunday.
As news of his death spread, his house at Aladesanmi area of Abeokuta was besieged by sympathisers, including fellow journalists.
Some of Mr. Suleiman’s former colleagues have been reacting to his death.
“I am still in shock. Highly unbelievable! Toba gone? Is it a dream? My friend and dear brother…is gone? Just like that? And I was looking forward to seeing him in Abeokuta pretty soon before this dastardly act,” Femi Shodunke, a former colleague of the deceased, said.
In his reaction, a former Chief Press Secretary in Ogun State, Adegbenro Adebanjo said, ‘The gentleman, the peacemaker, may his gentle soul rest in peace and may God grant friends, family members and colleagues fortitude to bear this huge loss.”
In his condolence message, a former Ogun State-based journalist, Olasunkanmi Ibikunle, said “This is unbelievable! Easy going newshound!! One of those that made Ogun State Correspondent Chapel great during my stint as a correspondent in the State…Toba rest in perfect peace!!!”
Also reacting, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Ogun State, Kayode Samuel, said “Speechless!!! May his soul rest in peace.”