President Muhammadu Buhari, opposition leader Atiku Abubakar and other top politicians in the country have expressed their griefs at the death of veteran journalist and a former minister of information and culture, Prince Tony Momoh.  

Mr. Momoh, who served as information minister under Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, died on Monday, although the cause of his death was not immediately disclosed.

Reacting to his death, Mr. Buhari, in a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina, described the late journalist as one who immensely contributed to the growth of the media industry in various ways, just as he urged practitioners to sustain his legacies.

The president further condoled with the Auchi kingdom and the entire Edo people, while praying that to God for comfort.

Similarly, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, in a condolence message signed by his Media Officer, Tunde Rahman, described the late journalist as “a patriot resolutely committed to the unity and progressive development of this country,” just as he recalled reading Mr. Momoh’s interview in a national newspaper days ago.

On his part, a former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar recounted that the late journalist carried himself with dignity and respect.

“He was an avowed apostle of politics without bitterness,” Mr. Abubakar said on Twitter, adding that Mr Momoh would be greatly missed.

Nigerian senator and business magnate, Ben bruce on his Twitter page said: “This loss saddens me, my condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Also paying his tribute was the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who in a condolence message signed by his aide, Mr Gbenga Akosile described Mr. Momoh’s death as a great loss to the country.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu further sympathised with Mr. Buhari and the Edo state government, while praying that God grants the Auchi prince an eternal rest.

Born on April 27, 1939, the former minister was the 165th child of king Momoh I of Auchi.

He was the spokesman for the  All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) during 2003 and 2007 general elections.

Mr. Momoh began his journalism career in October 1962 as a sub-editor at the Daily Times. He was at the centre of a major press freedom case under President Shehu Shagari, after being compelled to reveal his source for an op-ed that was critical of the National Assembly. He sued for the enforcement of his fundamental rights at a Lagos high court, but the matter was dismissed on the grounds that he should have filed the lawsuit before a competent federal court since the matter was a federal case.