The Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria (SDNON) receives with profound shock and deep sorrow the heartbreaking news of the death of seven journalists and media professionals in a tragic road accident along the Biliri–Kumo road in Gombe State. This devastating incident is not only a painful loss to the families and loved ones of the deceased but also a heavy blow to the Nigerian media industry and the public service at large.
The journalists who lost their lives were dedicated professionals whose unwavering commitment to truth, public enlightenment, and service to society will forever remain etched in our collective memory. Their contributions to journalism and nation-building exemplify the sacrifices media practitioners make daily in the line of duty.
SDNON commiserates with the Government and people of Gombe State, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the management and staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), StarTimes, the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board, and the entire media community over this irreparable loss. We also express our heartfelt sympathy to those who sustained injuries in the accident and are currently receiving medical care. We pray for their speedy and full recovery, and we stand in solidarity with their families during this difficult period.
Condolences Over Anthony Joshua Road Accident
In a similarly tragic development, SDNON extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Sina and Lats, the two friends of British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua, who tragically lost their lives in a fatal road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. This senseless loss has cut short two promising lives and left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of their families, friends, and the wider community.
We mourn the untimely deaths of Sina and Lats, whose lives were full of potential and promise. Our thoughts and prayers are with their bereaved families during this period of unimaginable grief. May God grant them the fortitude to bear this profound loss and may the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
SDNON also extends its heartfelt wishes to Mr. Anthony Joshua for a full and speedy recovery from the injuries he sustained in the accident. We pray that God grants him strength, healing, and comfort as he navigates this traumatic experience and mourns the loss of his dear friends.
Call for Improved Road Safety
At this moment of collective grief, SDNON calls for urgent and renewed attention to road safety measures across the country. The alarming frequency of fatal road accidents, particularly on major highways such as the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and rural roads like the Biliri–Kumo route, demands immediate action from relevant authorities.
We urge the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), state governments, and transport regulatory bodies to intensify efforts in road maintenance, enforcement of traffic regulations, public enlightenment campaigns, and the deployment of emergency response mechanisms. The needless loss of lives—particularly those of professionals and citizens travelling in the course of service to the nation—must be drastically reduced through proactive and sustainable interventions.
The safety of Nigerian roads is a matter of national importance, and we must collectively ensure that our highways are no longer death traps for citizens
SDNON stands in solidarity with all those affected by these tragedies. We pray for eternal rest for the departed souls, comfort for the bereaved families, and divine healing for the injured. May God grant us all the wisdom and will to create a safer Nigeria where no family has to endure such preventable losses.
Signed:
Dr. Adeniyi Ifetayo
President, Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria (SDNON)
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
