Pini Jason, popular Vanguard Columnist Dies At 65

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A Vanguard columnist, Chief Pini Jason Onyegbaduo, popularly known as Pini Jason on Saturday died in a Lagos hospital after undergoing a surgical procedure a few days ago. He was 65.

Pini Jason

Mr. Jason, who was a long time columnist, took a leave in 2007 to serves as the special assistant on special duties to former governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State. He returned to writing his column at the newspaper 2011.

According to the organisation, Pini’s last column titled,” A letter to Yushau Shuaib” was published Tuesday
April 30 2013. He had written about the travails of the former spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

Tributes

General Manager, Publication/Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, described him as a Nigerian who dreamt excellence and a wholesome regeneration of our nation.

Vanguard Editor, Mr Mideno Bayagbon, said Jason embodied “the best in journalism.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Reuben Abati, in his statement described the late columnist as a ‘very decent man.’  “His attitude to life was always positive. He wrote columns that were set apart by their clarity, thoughtfulness, sound knowledge and commitment to public good. We have lost another true defender of the people’s interests. He will be sorely missed by the Nigerian media family, and particularly his numerous readers. My best wishes to his family”.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said the death was an irreparable loss. His Anambra State counterpart, Mr Peter Obi, said the deceased was one of Nigeria’s finest journalists.