The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has described the late Emmanuel Yawe as a “media icon and peerless patriot’’.

This is contained in a statement signed by the President and General Secretary of the Guild, Mustapha Isah and Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Monday in Abuja

Yawe died in his sleep on Thursday.

“Yawe will be greatly remembered as a true professional who gave his all to the journalism profession in Nigeria. We will miss him greatly,’’ it said.

The guild also described him as an “editors’ editor, trainer and mentor to many of the editors on the seat today’’.

Yawe, until his death, was the National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

It said Yawe had remained a committed member of the Guild after several years of retiring from public service.

“Mr Emmanuel Yawe was one of the peacemakers and voices of reason, who ensured that the last elective congress of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Kano was smooth and rancour free.

“Even after the congress, Mr Yawe, again played an active role in the last biennial Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), which held few months later in Abuja,’’ it said.

Yawe, 66, hails from Donga Local Government Area of Taraba.

A graduate of Political Science from the University of Ibadan, Yawe had served briefly as Chief Press Secretary, Governor’s Office, old Gongola State in 1983 (now Adamawa and Taraba).

He served as Managing Director of Gongola Press Ltd., Editor, Sunday Triumph Newspapers from 1984 to 1987.

A distinguished journalist and author, Yawe was, at various times, Member Editorial Board, The Point Newspapers and Peoples Daily Newspapers.

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He also worked with New Nigerian Newspapers, served as Managing Editor, New Sentinel Newspaper; and Editor, Crystal International News Magazine.(NAN)