The founder of Connected Development (CODE), Hamzat Lawal, has issued a statement commiserating with family and friends of late journalist Shehu Saleh Ashaka who passed away two days ago and was buried in Egypt this morning. Hamzat Lawal who resides in Falmer, Brighton, at the University of Sussex where he is his masters degree wrote:
“On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of Connected Development (CODE), we mourn with a heavy heart the passing of Saleh Shehu Ashaka, a veteran journalist, patriot, and deeply cherished close associate of the CODE family.
“To the world, Saleh was a titan of journalism. His years at the Voice of America (VOA) and Politics Digest were not merely a career but a vocation. He wielded his pen with precision and principle, holding power to account and amplifying the voices of those too often left unheard. He set a standard for integrity that few could match and even fewer will forget. He communicated in ways that captivated attention, which led to action by policymakers.
“But to those of us at Connected Development, he was far more than a celebrated journalist. Saleh was woven into the fabric of our organization. He believed in our mission of transparency and accountability long before it became a national conversation.
“His counsel was steady in turbulent times, his friendship a sanctuary of trust, and his loyalty boundless. To me personally, he was a brother, a confidant, and a guiding light. His passing leaves a void that words cannot fully capture. We have lost a voice that spoke truth fearlessly, a heart that served humbly, and a soul whose commitment to a better Nigeria never wavered.
“As we grieve, we find solace in faith. We bow to the Will of the Almighty and echo the sacred words: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” (Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.) We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, forgives his shortcomings, receives him into Al-Jannah Firdaus, and grants his family the Sabr, the patience and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
“Saleh Shehu Ashaka, your legacy is etched in the truth you spoke, the justice you pursued, and the lives you touched along the way. You fought a good fight for the soul of this nation. Rest well, dear brother.”
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