SaharaReporters has learned of the death earlier today of Pini Jason, one of Nigeria’s most well known columnists. He was 65.
A professional colleague of his disclosed that Mr. Jason died early in the afternoon in a Lagos hospital after undergoing a surgical procedure a few days ago. SaharaReporters could not ascertain how long he had been ill.
Mr. Jason, whose real name was Jason Onyegbadue, was until his death a columnist for Lagos-based Vanguard newspaper. He wrote his regular column until three weeks ago.
A longtime columnist for the newspaper, Mr. Jason took a leave of absence in 2007 to work as a senior aide to former Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State. He was designated a special assistant on special duties. He returned to writing his column at the Vanguard following Mr. Ohakim’s failure in 2011 to obtain a second term as governor.
Saharareporters could not confirm the exact cause of death. However, a source revealed that Mr. Jason underwent a prostate cancer surgery two years ago.
Mr. Jason had earlier worked as a senior editor at the now defunct African Guardian newspaper. A colleague of his at African Guardian remembered him as “a witty, exuberant person whose robust sense of humor enlivened the newsroom.”
Mr. Jason is survived by a wife and several children
…………..SAHARA REPORTERS
JD:What a sad day for me.Pini was a colleague i hardly saw but we would play catch up anytime we met,and banter to no end.I hope either his friends or colleagues will at some point put his writings together to serve not only as entrertainment but also a referral point to the socio political environment of his time.Goodnight Pini
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