Bonnie Iwuoha, Former NUJ President, Dies

By Charles Igbo

A former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bonnie Iwuoha, is dead. He died in Umuahia, Abia State, where he served his State creditably and with passion, in the evening of Monday, December 20, 2021.

Iwuoha was a former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Before then, he was a Special Adviser, Media.

In his 38 years in the Media, Iwuoha played very active roles at critical situations, and worked in a number of Media Houses.

He was a former Managing Editor/Head of Editorial, Daily Times. He was also a very senior staff at the Imo Newspapers, Owerri, as well as the Ambassador Newspapers, an Abia State Government-owned Newspaper.

At the 40th Biennial Convention of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, in Kano in 2020, an Organization where he always played key roles, Iwuoha was the Chairman of the Election Screening Committe.

His death hit his Media- colleagues like a thunder bold, and tributes are coming in like claps of thunder for “Dee Bonnie”, or  “Oga Bonnie” as he was popularly called by younger colleagues.

Reacted Emma Agu, a former Presidential Media Adviser, former Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, Champion Group of Newspapers, and now, Publisher, True Vision, on hearing the sad news: “I’m speechless. Able, Able. God is able. If He didn’t keep you here, then there must be a better reason. No more worries, no more pains. Though shattered, we take consolation in the knowledge that you will remain in our hearts. RIP”

Comfort Obi of The Source lamented:

“Death so unexpected!

We spoke two weeks ago, and exchanged text messages last week!!

He was okay, he told me.

He was his usual self!!!

Whatever happened again?

Life has a way of playing games with us.

And, we seem not sure of anything …Nothing.

Rest, Bonnie, rest in peace – finally.”

Iwuoha was married with children.