Shagari’s Chief Press Secretary, Charles Igoh dies at 83

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Chief Press Secretary to the second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Mr Charles Amedu Igoh has died at the age of 83.
Igoh, a journalist, media practitioner, and administrator, who served as the Chief Press Secretary to Shagari, died on Saturday, 23rd of December, 2023 after a brief illness.
He was 83 years old. His death was confirmed in a statement yesterday by his son, John Ada Igoh on behalf of the family.
The statement by John Igoh reads, “It is with a heavy heart, but in total submission to the will of God that we regret to announce the passing of our father, grandfather, uncle and brother, Mr Charles Amedu Igoh, which sad event occurred on Saturday the 23rd of December, 2023 after a brief illness. He was 83 years old.
“Mr Charles Amedu Igoh was a journalist, media practitioner, and administrator who served as the Chief Press Secretary to Nigeria’s 2nd Republic president His Excellency the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari from 1979-1983.
“He started his journalism career in the early 70s where he was a Sports Editor and Assistant Editor at the Daily Times newspapers.
“He also worked with the Nigerian Breweries in the Public Relations department.
“He had a stint at the National Sports Commission in the mid-70s before being appointed as the Public Relations Manager of Volkswagen Nigeria.
“He served as a Press Officer to the Shehu Shagari Presidential Campaign Council in the run-up to the 1979 general elections.
“He was eventually appointed by the late Shehu Shagari as his Chief Press Secretary upon his victory at the polls. He served in that capacity in the first term of that administration. and then farming.
“He was later appointed to the Board of Directors of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria in 1990.
“He became a deacon in his church, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), where he served the Lord.
‘He is survived by children, grandchildren, younger siblings, nieces, and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all. Burial arrangements will be announced in due course”, the statement concluded.