Remains Of Late Veteran Journalist Yakubu Mohammed Buried In Kogi

The remains of veteran journalist and co-founder of the defunct Newswatch Magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, have been laid to rest in Ologba, Anyigba, Dekina local government area of Kogi State.

The funeral, which commenced at about 11am on Thursday, was presided over by the Chief Imam, Alhaji Musa, and that of Ologba 2,
Mallam Dauda Omeje.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam spoke on the need for the people to prepare for eternity, saying that death is a necessary end of all humans.

“All of us must prepare for death because it’s a necessary end for all mankind. We will all taste death one day. How we prepare for it matters. We must live in peace with one another and live a life of service to humanity, like our brother, Muhammed,” the Imam stressed

He described late Yakubu Mohammed as a selfless man, whom he said lived for his community. “As a devoted Muslim, he never compromised his religion. He was committed to the development of our land,” he stated.

Speaking with our correspondent on the sideline of the burial, Mr. Joshua Edegbo described late Yakubu Mohammed as a community leader who was committed to the development of his place of birth.

He noted that he was able to facilitate employments for the people of his Anyigba community.

“He equally gave scholarship for majority of the young ones in Dekina Local Government and across Igala land.

“As a committed Muslim, he never deviated from his faith. He never mixed his religion with anything, even when he briefly delved into politics. I’m therefore no surprised about the turnout of his compatriots today to pay him their last respects,” he said.

Edegbo, who said he is a first cousin to the late veteran journalist, added that he was given employment in the New Nigerian Newspapers and Newswatch by the late veteran journalist, noting that Mohammed will be greatly missed.

The funeral was attended by religious and tractional leaders as well as family members and fellow journalists.

Late Yakubu Mohammed died on Wednesday at the age 75 years.

Mohammed, who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Science, was born on April 4, 1950.

He attended St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba, and graduated in 1964; Government Secondary School, Okene, between 1965 and 1969; the University of Lagos from 1972 to 1975; and Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland between 1978 and 1979.

He was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Kogi State election in 2011.