Mr Osita Okechukwu, Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), has expressed sadness over the death of Malam Wada Maida, the Chairman, Board of Directors, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Okechukwu told NAN in Enugu on Tuesday that Maida was very patriotic in all his dealings and representation of the media and the country.
NAN reports that Maida died on Monday in Abuja at the age of 70.
According to him, Maida lived professionally-exemplary lifestyle as a media icon; whose impeccable records of forthrightness will continue to stand the test of time.
READ>>>Media industry mourns Wada Maida, NAN Board Chairman and former MD
“As a great teacher, Malam Wada Maida, was real, grounded, authentic and true with all he set out to do and achieve.
“He was a shining good example of what a media icon should be.
“He was highly accommodating; and with him there is no boundary where one is coming from. A highly detribalised and friendly Nigerian.
“As a great teacher, he remains very humble and patient in every meeting or forum he heads and attends. Someone that wants to listen and interact with others.
“It is painful that he left us so suddenly. However, we have to thank God for the gift of Maida and his exemplary lifestyle he had shown us to follow,’’ the VON boss said.
He, however, commiserated with his immediate family, NAN and his friends within and outside the country.
“I will urge those in NAN to uphold the virtues of professionalism and quality content provision the deceased always emphasised on while alive.
“For the family and friends, I will pray that God give them the fortitude to bear the loss,’’ he said.
Maida was a former Editor-in-Chief and later Managing Director of NAN.
He was one of the pioneer editors of the agency and served at various times as its Regional Editor in Kaduna, Political Editor and London Correspondent.
He was also Chief Press Secretary to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, when he became military Head of State in December 1983 and returned to NAN in 1985 to become its Editor-in-Chief for eight years.
Maida, from Katsina State, was appointed NAN Managing Director in 1994 and served in that capacity for nine years before he bowed out in 2003.
Until his death, Maida was an Executive Board Member, International Press Institute and also a shareholder of Media Trust Ltd. (NAN)
