Wada Maida, a rare Nigerian – Gambari

Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to the President, has described Malam Wada Maida, the late Chairman, Board of Directors of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), as a “rare Nigerian”.

Maida, former Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of NAN, died on Monday in Abuja. He was aged 70.

Gambari, in a tribute to the veteran journalist, when he paid a condolence visit to his residence on Monday in Abuja, said that Maida was “humble, open, kind and hugely patriotic”.

“He will be missed by us all, especially we who served President Muhammadu Buhari when he was military head of state,” Gambari wrote.

In his tribute, Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal, said that Nigeria had lost a great patriot with a great deal of conscience.

“He had a huge commitment to the development and well being of our dear country. May God forgive him and grant him eternal rest.

“May God also grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” he wrote.

In his tribute, Mr Nduka Ogaigbena, the publisher, Thisday newspaper, described Maida as “a gentle giant”.

“A gentle giant is gone. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Other prominent Nigerians, who have paid condolence visits to Maida’s house are Chief Timipreiye Sylva, Minister of Sate for Petroleum, and Malam Tanimu Yakubu, former Economic Affairs Adviser to late President Umar Yar’Adua.

Others are Sen Ahmed Babba Kaita (Katsina North), Usman Magawatta, former NTA Director-General, Sen. Sanusi Daggash, and two former Inspectors-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and M. D. Abubakar.

Also in the house were Malam Garba Shehu, Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, former FCT minister Ibrahim Bunu, and Nigerian envoy to Turkey, Ahmed Malammadori.