Benue State NUJ Chairman, Mrs Victoria Asher Dies

…Union’s National Secretariat declares 3-day mourning period

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, Mrs Victoria Asher has died following medical complication at child birth.

The Late Mrs Asher gave birth to twins through cesarean section surgery but later died while her delivered twins are alive.

Mrs Asher is the second Benue NUJ chairman to have died in office. The first was Comrade David Ukuma, who served for less than six months before he died.

These were contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Secretary of the NUJ, Benue State Council, Comrade Moses Akarhan, who announced that Mrs Asher died at about 8:00am on Saturday at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, the Benue State capital following a cesarean surgery.

Akarhan said the Council will give notice for an emergency congress to that effect in due course.

Meanwhile, the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed sadness over the sudden death of Mrs Victoria Asher.

Towards this end, the National President of the Union, Chief Chris Isiguzo has declared a three day national mourning, starting from Monday, February 1, 2021 in honour of the deceased.

The NUJ President directed State Councils to suspend all activities within the period in honour of late Mrs Victoria Asher.

A statement by Midat Joseph, Assistant National Secretary, stated that the Late Mrs Asher will be remembered for her dedication, hard work and unwavering commitment to the journalism profession.

The NUJ while mourning the passing away of Mrs Asher, prayed God to comfort her family, the media community as well as the Benue State Council.

Similarly, Governor Samuel Ortom has expressed shock over the sudden death of Asher in the early hours of Saturday.

In a statement by his chief press secretary Terver Akase the Governor described the demise of Asher as a painful loss not only to the media community but also to the entire state.

He noted that the late NUJ Chairman was a hardworking woman who related well with others and stood for excellence in the pen profession.

Ortom said the Government and people of Benue will miss Mrs. Asher and her contributions to the state in her chosen profession of journalism and prayed God to grant her eternal rest and give her husband with the entire family as well as colleagues, particularly the Benue State Council of NUJ, the strength to bear the loss.