Family of late NewsDirect Publisher announces burial rites, expresses gratitude for messages received

The family of deceased Publisher of Nigerian NewsDirect, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi has announced the arrangements for the burial rites of the late Publisher.

In a statement issued yesterday on behalf of the family, Olawale Ibiyemi said, “My Dad lived a purposeful life and it is just befitting we celebrate him. He was commonly called ‘Big Sam’ amongst his colleagues but Big Sam was not just Big Sam, Big Sam made a ‘Big Impact’ on the lives of everyone who crossed his path while he was with us.

“We have met with the family and we have picked a date for the burial arrangements.

“We settled for the arrangements to celebrate the life and legacy of our Dad to be between the July 27 – July 30.

“The celebration will kick off with a candle procession in his Ogun state residence followed by the Lying in State, Burial & Funeral Service, Reception, Outreach and Thanksgiving in Lagos.

“We have also decided to form a committee to steer the direction of events. My Dad always wanted things to be done excellently and so we want to do our best to celebrate him the best way we can possibly think of.”

The family representative also thanked friends, the media industry, friends & business partners of NewsDirect for their condolence messages.

He also warned the general public to be wary of opportunists wishing to milk the current events stating that only himself  (Olawale) or his sibling, Mathew Ibiyemi are responsible to speak and receive any goodwill on behalf of the family.