Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has described the death of the former Chairman of Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Alhaji Alade Odunewu, popularly known by his pen name, Allah De, as a colossal loss not only to the journalism profession but also to the Nigerian nation as a whole.

The governor, in a statement in Ibadan on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, commiserated with the family of the late journalism icon, public affairs commentator.

It would be recalled that the late veteran journalist died on Thursday in Lagos at the age of 85. He described Allah De as a thorough-bred journalist and father of modern journalism, who used his power of words to shape the society, defended the defenceless, correct societal ills and entrench democratic tenets in the land.

``Allah De, as he was fondly called, never kept quiet when it was necessary for people like him to speak out on any societal ill. He always rose in stout defence of the defenceless; he was always there when the Nigerian masses needed him most.

Indeed, he was the conscience of the nation.``As a newspaper columnist, editor, media manager and administrator, and even in retirement, Alhaji Alade Odunewu served humanity to the fullest by putting his potential at the service of the people,’’ the governor said.

 Ajimobi described the passing away of the veteran journalist ``at this critical period when his vast experience was most needed to whip the society back into line and to help in our collective efforts at further consolidating our democracy’’, as highly unfortunate, saying that he would be sorely missed. While commiserating with his immediate family, members of the pen profession, his friends and associates on the loss of the journalism icon, he expressed happiness that Alhaji Odunewu lived a fulfilled life and died in the struggle to ensure an egalitarian society.

He prayed God to grant him Aljanah Fridaus, and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.