The death of popular columnist, Mr. Michael Awe, popularly known as Michael West, on Saturday was very shocking and sad.
He died in a road accident on his way to Ilesha, Osun State.
Friends and colleagues have since taken to the social media to express their shock over the sad news, as well as pay tribute.
Below are some of the reactions:
I am in shock. In deep shock. Seeing the post on the death of Mike Awe on FB. I keep on wondering why we are having this sort of deaths in recent time. I find the news so hard to believe, that Mike Awe died. But he has actually passed on.
I met Mike Awe in The Guardian newsroom in the early 90s. Our path once again crossed when I became the Editor of The Nation (Saturday), he was then my Production Editor. Due to the friendship established over the years, it was a comfortable working relationship. In spite of the frenetic pace of the newsroom, we were still able to retain that relationship. He was a cool, calm guy. He was so amiable and so positive about everything that he was not someone you could be angry with. He was someone who owned up to his fault and would willingly bend backward to ensure peace reigned. This is one death that came totally unexpected. May your soul rest in peace.
Bolaji Tunji, former Executive director at Sun Newspaper Publishing Company, Lagos, Nigeria.
Michael Awe, smile and rest well
Ore, we can’t query God, but we can keep wondering why you had to be on the road on a day blood was to be shed. At 30,000 feet above sea level, you didn’t die, but death came stealthily and suddenly on a familiar road route that you had plied several times.
May your gentle and amiable soul rest well in the bosom of the Lord.
Just two weeks ago, you sat next to me on our flights from Abuja to Uyo, and Uyo to Lagos. We landed in Lagos and you asked me to hold on to your pieces of hand luggage while you used the restroom. We chatted and chatted, having not seen each other since 1994 when we were at The Punch.
Michael, you were such a genial fellow armed with a ready smile for every occasion.
May God forgive you your sins and grant you eternal rest in Jesus’ name.
Demola Akinbola, Publisher, The Podium
The ripest moment is the saddest encounter, so says a poet. Sad that he died at this time when he was shinning.
Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile, CEO Double O Communications
Ah ah, haba! Mike? When did this one happen? Lord have mercy… Mike Awe? Na wa o. God knows best. May his soul find rest in the Lord’s bosom through Christ our Lord, amen. But na wa o!
Felix Oguejiofor Abugu
Mike! This life!!
Oluyinka Olujimi, Publisher, Morning Mail
Shocking
Unbelievable
Michael Awe, gone just like that.
Go well my brother and friend.
Go well.
May your soul Rest with Jesus and may the Lord comfort every life you touched.
You last WhatsApp broadcast was just three days ago God please have mercy on us.
Lara Wise
