Benue NUJ Chairman condoles NewsDirect State Correspondent over son’s death
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, Comrade Vincent Nyinongu on Wednesday led Exco members to commiserate with the Benue State Correspondent of NewsDirect Newspaper, Comrade Titus Atondu, at his Makurdi residence over the death of his only son, Providence Aõndona Atondo who died at the age of 24 years.
Nyinongu who described Aõndona’s death as a painful loss, encouraged his bereaved parents to take solace in the fact that God gave them the child and He took him at His chosen time.
The NUJ Chairman who was the first person to sign the condolence register wrote, “Dear son, it’s painful to accept that you are no more but our solace is in God, the giver and taker of life. What else can we say than to look up to Him for consolation and to stop further devastating occurrence in the life of our colleague, Titus Atondu, rest on.”
Comrade Nyinongu assured Atondu that the Benue NUJ will continue to be around him up to the time of his son’s burial.
Responding, father of the deceased, Comrade Titus Atondu, appreciated the NUJ Chairman and his Exco for identifying with him during his trying time.
Comrade Atondu described his son’s death as a serious examination given to him by God but was faithful that he will surmount the challenge and will continue to look onto God.
He lamented that it was not possible to exchange his life with that of his son, saying he came into the world with nothing and he will leave with nothing.
Atondu recalled that his parents died when he was very young but God saw him through, he was able to acquire his first and second degrees after his parents death and the same God will help him to overcome current challenges.
Away from his son’s death, Comrade Atondu expressed his total loyalty to Comrade Nyinongu led Benue NUJ, saying he doesn’t associate with illegality and falsehood.
“I’m assuring you that my loyalty will always be there because I’m somebody who believes in the truth and I don’t associate myself with falsehood and things that are illegal. That’s why when I was called upon to come and play the role of Chairman in conducting election that brought you on board, I went with open heart and without fear of contradiction because I knew that where I was going was the right place”, Atondu told Vincent Nyinongu.
He urged Nyinongu and his EXCO to remain focused in steering the affairs of the Council.
In his remark, NUJ Vice Chairman, Comrade Frank Hyundu who recalled the bitter experience of how he lost his daughter three years ago prayed God to give Atondo and his wife fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
