by Bridgette Komatep – EM TV, Port Moresby
The journalism fraternity has lost yet another veteran, the late Blaise Nangoi.
Hail from Buka, Mr Nangoi was the former chief editor and general manager of the South Pacific Post Limited, the publisher of the Post Courier daily newspaper and a board director of Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL), until his death.
He died in Buka while being rushed to the Buka General Hospital after falling ill in his home village.
At the time of his death, Mr Nangoi was a member of the Board Directors for Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited. In a news conference today, MVIL staff, led by Chief Executive Officer Joe Wemin, paid a minute’s silence in remembrance of their colleague.
The MVIL Board will send out a formal condolence message soon. But those present at the conference spoke highly of late Mr Nangoi’s contribution to MVIL, notably his efforts to establish a motor vehicle claims office in Buka.
Minute after minute, friends and colleagues posted on social media about the loss of the great news veteran.
Mr Nangoi worked with the Post Courier for 32 years before retiring in June this year, clocking in 7 years as a newspaper editor (2006-2012).
As the general manager of the company, Mr Nangoi played an important role in the running of the newspaper and setting journalism benchmarks for the reporters to excel.
On top of this, he was tasked to keep an eye on company operations. Post Courier described his death as a big blow to the media industry and a big loss to the people of Buka and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The late Blaise Nangoi is survived by his partner, five children and six grandchildren.