Peter's death leaves 'vacuum difficult to fill' in Villa media department

Onanuga: His death big loss to Tinubu, media department
Rahman urges media personnel to prioritise their health

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The Presidency has described the death of Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations in the Presidential Villa, Peter Onwubuariri, as a major loss to President Bola Tinubu and the Villa’s Media and Public Relations Department.

It also said his death had created a “vacuum that will be difficult to fill”, citing his contributions to the communication of government activities and his versatility as a writer and master of ceremonies at presidential events.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this on Monday when he led a delegation of presidential media aides and members of the Media and Public Relations Department on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Abuja.

In a statement issued by Director of Information and Public Relations, State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, Onanuga described Onwubuariri as a hardworking, dedicated and dependable professional who contributed significantly to the work of the department.

“We are here to condole with the deceased’s family. Peter’s death is a big loss to the department, even to the President of Nigeria, and that is why a statement was issued to that effect.

“His death has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill. I remember Peter at times played the role of MC at presidential events and he was very good at that; a professional par excellence, he was a very good writer. His death is a big loss to the entire department and we are going to miss him very much,” he said.

Onanuga assured the family that the Presidency would continue to identify with them and provide necessary support during the period of mourning.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, described Onwubuariri as a consummate professional and workaholic who consistently delivered excellent results.

“Peter was like a friend to me; I know him as a workaholic. There was never a time that we gave him an assignment that did not turn out excellent. That was the kind of quality and calibre of staff that Peter was,” Rahman said.

He said the deceased derived satisfaction from his profession and made significant contributions to the Media and Publicity Department.

“In him, we had an editor in the Media and Publicity Department,” Rahman said.

He, however, used the occasion to urge media professionals to pay greater attention to their health while carrying out their duties.

“The message and lesson I derive from this is to use the occasion to remind media personnel to prioritise their health while on the job,” he said.

Also speaking, Bashir Ahmad, former Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, expressed shock over Onwubuariri’s death, describing him as a dependable partner.

Ahmad prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Amarachi Nwanguma, the deceased’s elder sister, thanked the presidential media team for its support and solidarity, particularly President Tinubu’s condolence message.

She said the family would communicate with the Presidency regarding burial arrangements once consultations were concluded.

The deceased’s eldest child, Miss Adaora Onwubuariri, a Computer Science undergraduate, also expressed appreciation to the presidential media team for its support to the family.

“I am just grateful to everybody here. Today, I think I learned the true meaning of the saying that no man is an island; I am very grateful for his bosses, colleagues, his friends who have been there for us throughout this past year.

“I am very grateful and I have truly learned that my father was a very good man. I have always known that but today is a confirmation,” she said.

The condolence visit was attended by presidential media aides and members of the Media and Public Relations Department.