It is a sad moment for Nigerian journalists as death claimed one of them, Alhaji Waheed Bakare, on Sunday.
The Saturday Editor of New Telegraph, Bakare was a thoroughbred journalist and a devout muslim.
Generally described as humble, Waheed was very dutiful and an exciting personality.
Shocked by his death, Nigerian journalists and groups took to the social media space to grieve over the sudden departure of Bakare.
Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, MMPN:
Brother Bakare was a thoroughbred journalist, a devoted brother to his deen. A family man and above all a humble and wonderful personality.
Recently, he took part in the financial contribution to the Covid-19 palliatives by a coalition of 55 Muslim groups in which MMPN is a member.
His death coming on the Sallah day is quite painful to us as a group but we are consoled that he died as a believer and a committed Muslim.
O Allah, forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on him , keep him safe and sound, honour the place where he will settle and make his entrance wide; wash him with water and snow and cleanse his sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt.
May Allah grant the family in particular and the Ummah in general the fortitude to bear the departure of a beloved dedicated brother .
Oh Allah make the uneasy, easy for the Ummah and the entire family to bear the monumental trial of the death of a beloved one .
May Allah watch over the family he left behind and reunite us with him in Al – Janah Firdaus.
Mojeed Alabi (Premium Times):
Saying good night to a beloved editor, Alhaji Waheed Bakare is difficult for me and my wife. That he LOVED us is an understatement. On April 26, our families including my wife and his spoke extensively on phone as we laughed cheerfully. He was in my house on December 29, 2020. We were still together in his office not long ago. But God said Alhaji’s time was up. Only Allah knows why. May your grave be expanded, may He grant you aljanah fridauz. Too early for you sir.
Adekunle Olayeni:
This is devastating! I never knew you were ill but today, thoughts about you crossed my mind and I was even going to put a call through to greet you for Eid-el-Fitr. Alas, it was too late! You bid this world a farewell and began the journey to meet your Creator. As the Saturday Editor of New Telegraph, you remained a very pleasant journalist, one of those outstanding professionals I’m privileged to work with in the industry. May Allah forgive your shortcomings and grant repose to your soul. RIP Editor Waheed Bakare
Yomi Odunuga (Special Adviser to Deputy Senate President on Media and Publicity):
Waheed… rest well brother.
Sometimes, you wished certain news stories were just fake and that they must be borne out of sheer mischief.
Exactly the same feeling I had when someone whispered to me last night that you were gone. Just like that?
I didn’t even know about this common ailment called brief illness that eventually took your soul on a flight of no return.
All I can remember were the laughter and our occasional jibes either physically here in Abuja when you came for one of those meetings in Aso Rock or on the social media when we discussed football (you loved Arsenal with a passion), family and life generally.
But, like we have all come to agree, we cannot question The Almighty on these things. We are all condemned to die one day. Yours has come and we can only hold on to the memories of a life lived in the service of humanity through journalism.
Rest well Bro. Peace Eternal, Waheed. Peace.
Bamidele Johnson:
What can I say? May you find peace and may those you have left behind find comfort. Waheed Bakare, this is beyond shock.
Ayodele Ojo Samuel (New Telegraph)
Goodnight my brother and colleague, WAHEED BAKARE, Saturday Editor, NEW TELEGRAPH.
Adekunle Salami (New Telegraph)
Rest in peace bro…words fail me…
Olalekan Osiade (New Telegraph)
Ina lillahi waina ilehi rajihun.
Goodnight Waheed Bakare. May Almighty Allah forgive your shortcomings and grant you Aljannah Firdaus.
Wale Adedayo (Media Consultant, Ogun State government)
We were colleagues at The PUNCH. I cannot remember seeing Waheed Bakare angry. Always smiling. Dutiful guy. He was very hardworking. Despite the physical challenge that came his way at some point, the smiles never faded. He remained himself.
More than shocked to confirm that you are no more. May God comfort your loved ones. May your soul rest in peace!
Ayo Olesin (The News Matrics)
A man is born…overcomes all odds…makes his bones…his star shines bright and clear…yet the flame disappears in a puff of smoke. Good night Waheed Bakare…he was a gentleman.
Rafiu Akanbi Olohungbebe (New Telegraph)
Inna lilahi waina ilaehi rojiun… Still can’t believe u are gone, may Almighty Allah Grant u eternal rest, we love u but God Almighty loves u more Dan we do… Mr Waheed Bakare, editor Saturday Telegraph odigbaaaaaa
Gani Kayode Balogun Jr:
The bell no longer tolls in sync, it tolls in disarray. It is no longer pouring, it is now a storm.
Waheed Bakare. Another good tree falls in the forest.
Segun Olatunji
This is too sudden! So shocking! So sad! Goodnight, Mr. Waheed Bakare, Editor, Saturday New Telegraph. May your soul find eternal rest in Paradise. May God comfort and be the father to the young family you’ve left behind. So sad!
Bolaji Adebiyi (ThisDay):
Speechless. All I can say now is Allah bless his soul. Amin. Life!
