President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, said late Malam Wada Maid, who died at 70, left a legacy of modesty, loyalty and commitment to the goals of national unity and development that will continue to resonate with everyone who crossed his path.
President Buhari, in a condolence statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said he received the news of the death of his close ally, friend and associate with deep sorrow.
Wada Maida, Daily Trust shareholder, dies at 70
The President said the stewardship and loyalty of Wada 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, 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 Editor-In-Chief and Managing Director.
He also sent condolences 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, who sympathised with friends and family of the former Managing Director of NAN, prayed that the Almighty God will forgive his shortcomings and grant him a home in jannatul firdaus.
