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Last days of Bravo Weekly publisher, Dada Eriye -Wife, daughter narrate their grief

CELEBRATED journalist and publisher of Bravo Weekly, Dada Victor Eriye died on Wednesday, February 18, 2105, at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos, after suffering severe burns in a generator accident in his house.

According to a message in a Blackberry broadcast sent by his friends and colleagues, “Mr. Dada Eriye, publisher of Bravo magazine, Lagos, was involved in a serious domestic fire accident as he was fuelling his generator at about 11.30 p.m on Saturday, February 14, 2015.  He was rushed to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, and rejected by the doctors.  They advised he should be taken to Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital, Lagos…

“He was later taken to LUTH, Idi Araba, Surulere, Lagos. The hospital demanded N250,000 at that hour before admission.  Those who took him there started another round of crying and begging that they would bring the money when banks open by Monday morning.  Sources revealed he had been unconscious and on life support machine at LUTH since then.  But he died few minutes ago from Cardiac Arrest, on Wednesday, February 18, 2015.”

Family and friends of the late journalist remained inconsolable on hearing that Dada Eriye would no longer be in their midst again.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2015, a Service of Songs was organized for the deceased at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Look and Live Parish, Pipeline Road, Akute at 5 p.m.  This short service had in attendance immediate family members who were dressed in all white attire, close friends, church members, professional colleagues, to mention a few.

On Thursday, February 26, 2015, friends, colleagues, family and other well wishers, gathered at Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos at 10 a.m to give late Dada Eriye a befitting burial.

A brief church service was held at Atan Cemetery Chapel, officiated by one of the RCCG pastors.  Thereafter, late Dada Eriye’s remains were finally laid to rest as wife and children remained heartbroken.

Victor Emetene Dada Eriye was born on June 5, 1963, to late Chief Joseph Ntiejum Eriye of Emu-Obodeti, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.  His mother was the late Mrs. Diana Nwanetelu Eriye.

Dada Eriye had his early education at the L.A Primary School, Emu-Obodeti from 1969 to 1970.  From 1970 to 1974, he attended Government Primary School, Warri.  He was admitted into James Welch Grammar School, Emevor, Delta State, from where he graduated in June 1979.  He was an award winning French student who was also known for his singing ability.  For many years, he seriously flirted with the idea of pursuing a singing career.

Dada began his working life at Mary Magdalene Girls Grammar School, Ashaka, Delta State, in November 1983 on his return from NYSC.  But he then relocated from Delta State to Lagos to pursue a career in journalism.

He began his journalism career as a reporter in the defunct Hammer Newspaper, which was owned by respected veteran journalist, Nojeem Jimoh.  He moved on to Viva newsmagazine.  After Viva, he contributed for a while to This Day Newspapers Arts Desk.  He also worked for the defunct Tempo and Anchor newspapers.  He was part of the pioneer team of City People magazine.  He worked there for many years and rose to be the paper’s Editor.  He was at a time Deputy Editor of Fame magazine and later became Editor of another soft-sell paper, News of the People.

Dada later went solo.  He established Bravo magazine where he worked as Editor and Publisher until the tragic accident of Saturday, February 14, 2015.

However, ENCOMIUM Weekly paid a condolence visit to the widow of Dada Eriye and we gathered that his immediate family are still trying to get over the great loss.

In a brief interview with the widow of the deceased, Bukky Eriye, she narrated how much her late husband meant to her and other members of the family, their last moments together and what she would miss about him

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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