CRPP Mourns This Day Journalist Emenyonu, Calls on Governor Okpebholo to Prioritize Welfare of Journalists

  Emenyonu                                                             

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

The Edo State chapter of the Conference of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has commiserated with the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the sudden death of Mr. Austin Adibe Emenyonu, the Edo State correspondent of This Day newspapers.

The sad event occurred on Saturday, October 18, 2025 in Benin City.

In a joint statement by the chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and the Secretary, Hon. C. Nkama, they remarked that CRPP enjoyed an unparalleled relationship with the deceased journalist, noting that he was among the fearless pen merchants, who made the association strong in Edo State politics and Nigeria in general.

Isibor and Nkama lamented that the series of untimely death in the Fourth Estate of the Realm in Edo State chapter, culminating in the sudden death of the This Day journalist was one too many in recent years. 

They said: "Our prayers are that God put a stop to these unexpected tragedy."

The duo appealed to Governor Okpebholo to come to the aid of all journalists working in Edo State by enlisting them into the state health insurance scheme automatically. 

"This is because they are working under a strenuous condition due to the high cost of living in the state. When sickness comes, it's a Herculean task coupled with the economic downturn for citizens in Edo State to purchase drugs and food items. The governor should bring down the high cost of living in the state," they pleaded.

The chairman and the Secretary also called on the state government to place the entire journalists registered with the NUJ on allowances to augment their meager salaries.

They recalled that some years ago, things were still manageable in the country unlike now when the cost of everything has gone up astronomically, leading to a sharp drop in the purchasing power of the ordinary journalist.

He prayed for Mr. Emenyonu's soul to rest in peace and for God to grant the union and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. 

He eulogized: "Mr. Emenyonu was a versatile journalist, a fearless reporter, very coordinated and easy going. We thank God for his life. Rest in the bosom of God, our Creator. Please take heart fellow colleagues."