Babangida absent as ex-spokesman Duro Onabule buried

Ibrahim Babangida ex-spokesman Duro Onabule

Duro Onabule, former spokesman of the ex-military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, has been buried in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

A funeral service was held in his honour at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ijebu-Ode on Friday. Babangida was not present at the funeral.

In his sermon, the diocesan bishop, Rt. Rev. Peter Oludipe, described the late Onabule as an icon, philanthropist and one who kept his family close.

“Irrespective of our achievements, we will all die and give account of our stewardship. What are you doing to contribute to the growth and development of the nation.

“People die regularly everywhere in the world. This is a funeral service that we are all familiar with. Today, it has become the turn of Onabule.

“Death is certain, it is the reality of life, whether male or female, young or old, rich or poor, educated or illiterate, all men will die,” he said.

The clergyman urged Nigerians to pray for credible leaders in the 2023 general elections.

“We should pray that God will give us credible leaders. We should not allow those who have little interest in the welfare of the citizens to dictate the pace for us,” he said.

Minister of information and culture, Lai Muhammed, described the late Onabule as an individual who was humble, honest and down to earth.

Muhammed, represented by acting director general, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Abdulhamid Dembos, said that Onabule was an intellectual and a motivator.

“While he was chairman, NTA Board of Directors, he was able to impact much on NTA programmes, he worked in harmony with other members of the board. He was a man of the people,” he said.

Babatunde Onabule, the first son of the deceased, noted that all the values learnt from his father had kept him going and had affected his life positively.

Onabule died on August 16 at the age of 83.