Chairman, Board of Directors, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Wada Maida, has been laid to rest on Tuesday at Gudu Cemetary, Apo District, Abuja.
He reportedly died at 70 on Monday night after developing health complications.
Maida served as the Chief Press Secretary to President Muhammadu Buhari while he was military head of state.
The former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of NAN was also a former president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
A funeral prayer was held before his burial at the Shagari Jumma’at Mosque, Area 1, Garki, Abuja led by Imam Rabiu Suleiman.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; President Buhari’s Spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu; Acting Managing Director, NAN, Mr. Dele Ojo and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, were among dignitaries at the event.
Others were Katsina Central Representative, Senator Kabir Barkiya; former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo; former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Malam Kabir Mashi and Alhaji Abba Rimi.
In its tribute, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) said it was shocked at the death of one its former presidents.
He was until his death a member of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI) was also the Chairman of Peoples Media Limited, publishers of Peoples Daily newspaper.
The accomplished journalist served as the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to President Muhammadu Buhari, as military Head of State between December 31, 1983 and August 26, 1985.
He was appointed Managing Director of NAN in 1994, after serving for nine years as its Editor- in- Chief.
Born in Katsina State on March 5, 1950, Mallam Wada Maida was admitted into the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in 1971, Indiana School of Mass Communication between 1972 and 1975 and Aberdeen College of Commerce, UK between 1975 and 1977.
NGE stated that Maida was a thorough-bred professional, who contributed immensely to the development of the Nigerian journalism profession.
” His achievements as President of the Guild will never be forgotten. The death of this veteran journalist has robbed African journalism of the services of a man who was fully committed to the development of the profession.
” He was a shining role model for those behind him in the journalism profession, where he stood out as a defender of free speech, promoter of the finest ethics of journalism and successful media entrepreneur.
” Though his sudden demise is painful, the Guild takes solace in the fact that Mallam Wada Maida left indelible footprints in the Nigerian media industry as a Reporter, Editor, Editor – in – Chief, Managing Director and Publisher.
Speaking shortly after the burial, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State described the death of Alhaji Wada Maida as a personal loss to him and the great people of Katsina state.
Masari said that the deceased was a patriotic citizen who dedicated the whole of his life in the service of the country.
“Whenever we lose somebody in Islam, we say to Allah we all come from Him and unto Him we shall return.
“Apart from being a personal friend, the late Wada was a patriotic citizen of the country.
“He spent his life in the service to humanity. He was my age mate we had so many associations together and we normally give assistance to the needy.
“Recently, we gave donation together with him to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in Katsina.
“So, for me, it is a personal loss and to Katsina State, it is a big one based on his services to the nation, he really represented Katsina well,” Masari said.
On his part, Senator Ibrahim Ida, Sardaunan Katsina, who represented Katsina Emirate Council at the burial, described the death of Maida as a colossal loss to the country.
Ida added that the deceased would be remembered for his uprightness, honesty and integrity.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said the deceased would be remembered by his friends because he was a great and true friend to many people.
Adamu said that late Maida would be remembered for his accomplishments in the journalism profession and the media house that he established.
The Acting Managing Director, NAN, Mr Dele Ojo, said the demise of Maida was a great loss to NAN, saying “Wada Maida lived and died for NAN.”
The Chairman, Editorial Board, Thisday Newspapers, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, said the deceased was not only an elder in the media profession but he was also a fantastic gentleman.
“Most of us looked up to him for guidance because he was a very good man. I pray that may the hereafter be a better place for him.”
Report by Oluwatomisin Amokeoja
