Some media stakeholders in Borno have described the death of Malam Wada Maida, former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as devastating and a great loss to journalism in Nigeria .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maida, Chairman, NAN Board of Directors, died at about 10 p.m. on Monday at the age of 70.
Some of the stakeholders, who spoke to NAN in separate interviews, said that his death was not only a loss to his family, but also to the journalism profession.
Mr Alhassan Yahaya, Zone E Vice-President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) told NAN that the he received the news of the demise of the former NAN MD with “great shock”.
Yahaya described Maida as a hardworking, cerebral and accomplished giant in journalism that would be sorely missed by all.
“Honestly, his death is a great loss to the profession. Maida is someone who has paid his dues. He was someone who was tested and trusted. But death is inevitable. May he rest in peace,” he said.
Alhassan recalled that when Maida became the MD of NAN in 1994, he came with a lot of transformation agenda for the agency which he achieved.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Borno Chapter of NUJ, Alhaji Bulama Talba, said that Maida was known for his unflinching and courageous support toward uplifting journalism both in the country and at the global level.
Talba said further: “There is a lot which the young budding journalists can emulate from his life and works.
“Our hearts will take some time to recover from this great loss to the country’s journalism,” he said.
Mr Hassan Gimba, the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, Neptune Prime, said that Maida’s death was a loss to journalism in Nigeria.
“He was one of the finest journalists Nigeria has ever produced. He is a committed professional who remained true to the profession to the last day,” he said.
Mr Yushau Shuaib, founder of Image Merchants Promotion Limited and PR Nigeria, a Nigerian Public Relations company, said Maida was one of the finest journalists ever produced in the country that had achieved many success stories.
“As a former Press Secretary to President Muhammadu Buhari when he was the military head of state between 1984 and 1985, he did excellently well in image branding, image making, public relations as well as timely response to information enquiries,” he said.
While commiserating with the bereaved family on their loss, Shuaib prayed God to grant Maida peaceful rest.
In 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Maida chairman of NAN board, a position he held until his death.
He became NAN Managing Director in 1994 after a long spell as Editor-in-Chief beginning from 1985.
He joined NAN as a pioneer editorial staff in 1978 and was at various times the Political Editor, Kaduna Regional Editor and London Bureau Chief.
The late Maida, an Executive Board member of the International Press Institute, contributed to the growth of journalism in the country.