The burial ceremony of Rev. Monday Aigbe, retired General Manager of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of the Observer titles, climaxed at the weekend with a thanksgiving service at Jesus Breeds Ministries International Incorporation.
The burial rites began on Thursday, 24 April 2025, with a lying-in-state at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, No. 1 Sir Gabriel Igbinedion Way, GRA, Benin City.
The ceremony, which drew present and former staff of BNCL, featured tributes from various speakers who eulogised the late Rev. Aigbe. He was described as a humble man of Christian virtues, a thoroughly bred professional, and a journalist whose prowess was never in doubt.
Speakers expressed confidence that the legacies left behind by Rev. Aigbe would open doors for his children and family, urging them to take solace in the fact that he played his part well during his sojourn on earth.
A social dance also formed part of the ceremonies, with friends, relatives, contemporaries in the journalism profession, and BNCL staff in attendance.
Before his retirement as General Manager of BNCL, Rev. Aigbe rose through the ranks, serving at various times as News Editor, Editor, and Editor-in-Chief of The Nigerian Observer newspaper.
He also lectured in the Mass Communication Department at Delta State University, Abraka.
