A former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Chief Akin Osuntokun, on Tuesday lamented the death of one of his predecessors in office, Malam Wada Maida, saying a leading light of journalism in the country was gone.
Osuntokun told NAN in Ado Ekiti that by the death of Maida, Nigeria and indeed Africa had lost a major contributor to the media industry and nation building.
He said the renowned media manager and Publisher of People’s Daily, displayed uncommon commitment to journalistic excellence and human capital development by providing jobs for young professionals in the media outfits he helped to establish.
According to him, Maida was a thoroughbred professional who, through good character, hard work and sound morals, built a global reputation for himself as well as set a high standard in developmental journalism.
He said his records as former Chief Press Secretary to General Muhammadu Buhari and as Managing Director of NAN between 1994-2003, remained points of reference till date.
Osuntokun said his uncommon project of mentoring younger crop of journalists and his positive attitude to developmental journalism could not be easily forgotten, especially by those who benefitted from his spirit of benevolence.
While urging others to emulate the deceased, the former presidential aide said Maida had over the years deployed journalism as a tool for development and constructive criticism.
” The late Maida, according to his records, was a stickler for business ethics and due process.
” He lived up to expectations as MD of NAN during his time and left good legacies for others to follow. He also demonstrated an uncanny insight into Nigeria’s media environment
‘ While we mourn this man of honour, the challenge before those he left behind now is to keep his spirit of selflessness alive.
” I share this moment of grief with his family, NAN management and his other well wishers across the globe and pray that his kind soul find solace with the Creator,” Osuntokun said.
