Tributes as Wada Maida buried in Abuja
The remains of Malam Wada Maida were buried at the Muslim section of the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja yesterday.
Malam Maida
Monday aged 70.
He was buried after a funeral prayer led by the Chief Imam of Sheu Shagari Mosque, Area One, Abuja, Imam Rabiu Sheu Suleiman.
Until his death, Maida was the Chairman, Board of Directors of the News Agency of Nigeria, a member of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute and also a shareholder of Media Trust Limited.
He also served as the Chief Press Secretary to Muhammadu Buhari when he was military Head of State in December 1983.
His funeral prayer and burial were attended by Katsina Governor, Aminu Bello Masari; the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; Senator Kabir Barkiya, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Media Trust Limited (publishers of Daily Trust newspapers), Malam Kabiru Yusuf, among others.
died on
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he received the news announcing the passing of his close ally, friend and associate, Malam Wada Maida with deep sorrow.
President Buhari, in a condolence statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said the stewardship and loyalty of Wada who died at 70 to him and the country over many years had been with great distinction.
“I am profoundly shocked by the sudden death of Malam Wada Maida, my former Press Secretary, a man who possessed one of the highest qualities of professional integrity throughout the course of his journalistic career, the President also said.
According to him, “Wada Maida was a very dedicated, hardworking and loyal professional for whom I have the deepest respect and admiration.”
The President said that “the passion with which Maida did his job accounted for his professional success in life, making it possible for him to attain the pinnacle of excellence in his career.”
Buhari, who joined Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, members of his cabinet and the family of late Malam Maida in mourning the sad loss, called for prayers for the State and country as they accepted the will of the Almighty God,
A patriotic Nigerian gone Masari
Governor Masari said Maida’s demise was a big loss not only to Katsina, his state of origin, but also to the nation based on his services to the country.
The governor affirmed that the Late Maida was a patriotic Nigerian.
He prayed Almighty Allah forgive him and admit him in who determined the fate of everyone.
The President condoled with staff and management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), where Malam Maida served as Chairman of the Board until his transition, having worked there extensively as European Bureau Chief, based in London, before honouring the national call as Press Secretary to the Head of State, 1984, and returning to the agency to continue as EditorIn-Chief and Managing Director.
He also sent condolences
Aljanat Firdaus.
The governor said: “Aside from being a personal friend, he was also a patriotic Nigerian. Alhaji Wada Maida led a life full of service to humanity.
“He was my age mate. We had so many associations together, the latest one being an organization that gives support to the vulnerable. Of recent, we made donation, to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, International Press Institute, Peoples Daily Newspapers, which Malam Wada established and chaired, and Pan African News Agency (PANA), where he played a pioneering role in founding and remained an inspiration for many years.
The President, while sympathizing with friends and family of the former Managing Director of NAN, said Malam Wada left a legacy of modesty, loyalty and commitment to together with him, to IDPs in Kaduna.
He was an accomplished journalist-Education Minister
Education Minister Adamu Adamu described Maida as a great and true friend to so many people, saying he would be remembered for his accomplishments in journalism profession.
He was a rare personality of immense talents-Ganduje
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, described Maida’s death as a saddening national loss.
“Maida was an accomplished journalist, an astute public officer, a rare individual of immense talents and abilities who lived a life full of service to humanity.
Ganduje said Maida’s contribution to the development of the media in the country remained laudable, particularly his venture into publishing.
He also said that Maida’s commitment to peace and unity of the country, through his chosen profession, would always be remembered.
Matawalle, Oyetola extol Maida’s virtues
Zamfara State Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle the goals of national unity and development that will continue to resonate with everyone who crossed his path.
The President prayed that the Almighty God will forgive his shortcomings and grant him a home in jannatul firdaus.
Similarly, the International Press Institute (IPI) yesterday announced the death of one of its pillars, Wada Maida.
Until his death, Wada was the member representing Nigeria on the executive board of IPI in Vienna, Austria.
“A distinguished journalist, yesterday extolled Maida’s virtues, describing as a media icon
Matawalle, in a statement by his Director-General, Media, Public Enlightenment and Communication, Yusuf Idris Gusau, said the invaluable contributions of Maida to the growth and development as well as encouragement of many Nigerian youth into media practice will ever be remembered in credible dissemination of information.
Similarly, Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola described Maida’s death as devastating and a huge loss to his immediate family, the NAN family and journalism in Nigeria.
Oyetola, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said Nigeria had lost one of its finest, credible and veteran journalists, noting that the Late Maida contributed to the growth of Journalism in the country.
He was a calm, simple gentleman--Bawa Garba
Alhaji Bawa Garba, a longtime associate of Maida, told Daily Trust yesterday that he received the news of the death of his friend with shock.
He said Maida was “a calm, simple gentleman” who was involved with a lot of mediarelated initiatives, including newspaper business.
he was the Chairman of the People’s Daily newspaper, former Managing Director and lately, Chairman, Board of Directors of News Agency of Nigeria and former Chief Press Secretary to former Nigerian military head of state, retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (current President of Nigeria).
“IPI mourns the passing into eternity of this doyen of Nigerian journalism and long- time member of the global network of media executives for a free press. IPI also commiserates with the family of our late leader and the media community .
“We pray that the Almighty Allah gives the family and the media community the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“May Allah grant Mallam Wada Aljanah Firdaus. Ameen,” said a statement by the Chairman and the Secretary of the IPI Nigerian Chapter, Kabiru Yusuf and Raheem Adedoyin respectively.
IPI Executive Board Chairman, Markus Spillmann, said :“Wada Maida was a great asset to journalism and press freedom in Nigeria. His passing is a huge loss to the global IPI community and journalism in Nigeria.
“His contribution to IPI and press freedom will always be remembered by our network. On behalf of the IPI Executive Board and the network I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family.”