Abuja — Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council, has expressed shock over the untimely death of Mr. Ademola Adedeji, who passed away penultimate Saturday.

Adedeji, before his death, was a correspondent with Punch newspapers.

In a statement in Abuja, chairman of the council, Mr. Jacob Edi, said the council was saddened by the demise of the late journalist who he described as "amiable, down-to-earth and a part of the force of change that restored sanity to the council."

The council chairman said Adedeji would be sorely missed, while praying for the repose of his soul and for his family to bear the irreparable loss.

According to the programme of events, the NUJ has slated Tuesday, December 1, 2009 as Night of Songs and Tribute, a day before the corpse is taken to his hometown, Igbimo in Ekiti State.

The late Adedeji worked with the defunct Diet newspapers, was Deputy Bureau Chief of the National Mirror newspapers where he covered the Senate before joining the Punch not long ago.

He is survived by his wife and four children.