Emmanuel Yawe, ACF spokesman, dies ‘in his sleep’

Emmanuel Yawe, the spokesman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), is dead.

Murtala Aliyu, secretary-general of the ACF, confirmed the development on the forum’s social media platform on Friday.

Yawe was said to have died in his sleep on Friday morning — he was aged 65.

“It is with heavy heart that I bring to your notice the passing away of our Publicity Secretary, Chief Emmanuel Yawe, this morning,” the statement reads.

“I have intimated the Chairman, Audu Ogbeh, and he instructed that I should bring it to the notice of members.

“We will be visiting the family and will keep you informed about the burial arrangements. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

According to the statement, Yawe, an indigene of Taraba state, attended the University of Ibadan where he graduated from the department of political science in 1979.

“He started his journalism career with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in 1980 and was later appointed Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Gongola state in 1983,” the statement reads.

“He held several top editorial positions in several media organisations. He was a member of the Editorial Board, New Nigeria Newspapers, between 1982 to 1983; Editor, Sunday Triumph, 1984 – 1987; Managing Director, Gongola Press Ltd, 1988 – 1992, President, World Vision Communications, 1993- 1999; Editor, Crystal International Magazine 1999 – 2006; Managing Editor, New Sentinel newspapers, Editorial Board member, Peoples Daily, 2008 -2022 and member, Editorial Board of Advisers, The Point newspapers, 2015 to date.”

Yawe was appointed spokesman of the ACF in 2020.