The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has expressed shock over the demise of Malam Wada Maida, who died on Monday in Abuja.
Until his death, Maida was the Chairman, Board of Directors of People’s Media, publishers of the People’s Daily Newspapers.
NPAN’s President, Mr Nduka Obaigbena, in a statement, said Maida was one of the intellectuals in the engine room of the Association and defender of free press and democracy in Nigeria.
The statement said, “Mal. Wada, a consummate journalist and dedicated canvasser for a free press, was one of the pillars of our esteemed Association.
“He was an intellectual and a gentle giant. His passage is more shocking, coming barely a month after the death of the Life Patron of the Association, Mal Ismaila Isa.
“His life was a testament to public good and service at both the local and international levels.
“For instance, until his death, he chaired the Board of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and served as a member of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI), deploying his wealth of experience.”
