The Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, CRAN, a body of all journalists covering the security beat nationwide, has lost one of its foundation members; Mr. Xavier Ndanyongmong who served as the Association’s Secretary 22 years ago.
Until his death at the early hours of Friday, Ndanyongmong, who was popularly called Xavier by his colleagues, was the Crime Editor of Daily Independent Newspapers.
He was in his 50s and he died at government health facility in Ogun State, where he was admitted after he was rushed to the hospital in the early hours of Friday.
A crack reporter to the core, Xavier was a diligent and hardworking journalist who knew his onions when it comes to crime and metro reporting, having been on the beat for more than 20 years.
He began his journalism career with the New Nigerian Newspaper where he worked for years before moving to other media houses as a crime reporter.
In a press statement signed by the CRAN President and his Secretary Mr. Odita Sunday and Mrs. Chiemelie Ezeobi respectively, the association said “With heavy hearts, we at CRAN hereby mourn our colleague, a friend to many and peer par excellence.”
He became the Crime Editor at Daily Independent Newspaper in 2018.
“Our flanks have been broken by death once again but we take solace that though he is gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family he left behind and we will live by our creed of ‘being our brother’s keeper because even in death, Xavier is still part of us.”
