Tributes have continued to pour in for the late General Manager, Abuja/Northern Operations of The Guardian, and former editor of The Guardian on Saturday, Chuks Azuka Nwanne, who died on Saturday, October 3, after a protracted illness.

Nwanne, regarded by colleagues as one of the brightest writers of his generation, was an authority on Nigerian entertainment, arts, culture and tourism.

He began covering entertainment in 2006 as a freelance contributor to The Guardian before joining the newspaper in 2008 as an entertainment reporter.

His death has left colleagues, friends and associates mourning a journalist they described as dedicated, talented, warm-hearted and passionate about his craft.

John Nwaehike, one of the “Nwa” trio in Guardian Life under the editorship of Jahman Anikulapo, described Nwanne as a dedicated professional who approached his work with unusual seriousness.

“He was a very serious worker,” Nwaehike said, recalling that Nwanne took his job “as a religion.”

Michael Egbejule, publicist for the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, described Nwanne as “too gentle a man, loved by all, and the best in everything he did across arts, entertainment and showbiz.”

Egbejule also recalled the role Nwanne played in nurturing his writing career at The Guardian.

“You gave me the opportunity to write my name in gold at The Guardian under your tutelage as editor. I can never forget the story you inspired me to author that became the biggest feature ever, reminiscing on the life and times of the late Sir Victor Uwaifo, popularly known as ‘Guitar Boy,’” he wrote.

Prisca Duru, an arts and culture writer with Vanguard Newspapers, described Nwanne’s death as a painful loss.

“It’s so sad to lose Chuks Nwanne so early in his career. May he rest peacefully,” she said.

Bodunrin Akintayo, a culture and arts reporter, also expressed grief over the death, praying that Nwanne’s memory would remain blessed and that God would comfort his family.

The Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Husseini, said he was too devastated to write a lengthy tribute.

“Goodnight Chuks Nwanne, aka Vatican. No strength to pen a tribute. This was not the plan. Nje nje gi a jo ka! But we submit to God who gives and takes… Je nko oma,” Husseini wrote.

“Journey safe, Vatican. La ba nu udo… until resurrection morning. My condolences to his immediate and

The Guardian newspaper family.”

Nwanne’s colleague and News Editor (Daily), Templer Olaiya, also struggled to come to terms with his death.

“Numbed beyond words, Dede, on your shocking passage. Fare thee well, my brother from another mother. Your cherished memory and the dreams we shared live on,” Olaiya wrote on Facebook.

For the Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kamal Tayo Oropo, Nwanne’s death was difficult to comprehend, particularly because he appeared to be a journalist still on an upward trajectory.

“Chuks, this is weird. Shocking. There are some things in this life that are beyond comprehension. Some realities of our existence appear so surreal, so unbelievable, that the mind struggles to accept them. Chuks Nwanne’s passing to eternal glory is one of them,” Oropo wrote.

Recalling their years at The Guardian, Oropo said he watched Nwanne rise steadily in his profession and regarded him as “a permanent feature; a constant star still rising, and yet to reach its zenith.”

He described Nwanne as “a gifted journalist, passionate about his craft and never afraid to express his convictions,” adding that his professional journey would remain a source of pride to those who knew him.

“Nwanne was more than a colleague. He was part of a generation of journalists at The Guardian whose journey I knew. I had the privilege of watching them grow. Shared experiences, arguments and laughter,” Oropo said.

He added: “His departure feels painfully premature. There were still conversations to be had, opinions to exchange and, one imagined, many more milestones ahead of him. But life, in its unfathomable ways, has written a different ending.”

Oropo prayed that God would forgive Nwanne’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him eternal peace.

Another former colleague, Taiwo Hassan, described Nwanne as an energetic, cheerful and talented journalist whose personality left a lasting impression on those around him.

Hassan recalled meeting Nwanne years ago around Ijesha Road, Lagos, when he was searching for accommodation after leaving his residence at the University of Lagos.

Although Nwanne was his junior at The Guardian, Hassan said he was struck by his warmth and generosity.

“He was my junior at Rutam House, The Guardian Newspaper, but I can never forget the day we crossed paths at Ilo Street, Ijesha Road, when I was looking for a new house to rent. I met you and you took me down to your small room and said lots of good things that I should come down to live in that area,” Hassan recalled.

He said Nwanne later distinguished himself at The Guardian, particularly in his coverage of entertainment and tourism.

“Inside Guardian Newspaper, you showed the right acumen and brilliance in you, not forgetting the entertainment industry and tourism industry you covered, where you shone rapidly. You were a sought-after journalist,” he said.

Hassan also recalled the period leading to Nwanne’s marriage, when colleagues, including Daniel and Templer, rallied around him as friends of the groom.

He described Nwanne as a smiling and jovial person who remained full of energy even as his career progressed.

“I will fondly remember your smiling face, always laughing and joking, including your identical resemblance with your first child, your daughter,” Hassan wrote.

“I am devastated about your untimely demise because I still believe you have many years to live on this earth. Adieu, late Chuks Nwanne. RIP, my beloved bestie.”

Nwanne joined The Guardian in 2008 as an entertainment reporter after his freelance work with the newspaper. His astute journalism and engaging reportage earned him wider responsibilities, including assignments with Guardian Life, the arts desk and the tourism section of The Guardian on Saturday.

He later rose through the ranks to become General Manager, Abuja/Northern Operations, while continuing to maintain strong links with the creative and cultural sectors.

A native of Ogbunike in Oyi Local Council of Anambra State, Nwanne held a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, and a master’s degree in Communication Studies from Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos.

He attended several professional training programmes and conferences in Nigeria and abroad.

Beyond journalism, Nwanne was the founder and creative director of the Ogbunike Cave Carnival, an annual three-day cultural festival established to promote Ogbunike Cave as one of Nigeria’s notable tourist attractions.

He is survived by his wife and three children. (Guardian)