The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State and Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, have joined other Nigerians to mourn the late Chairman of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah who passed on Friday night.
In separate statements on Saturday, the trio condoled with the family, Nigerian newspaper industry and friends of Nda-Isaiah over his death.
Senate President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi, in Abuja, while also commiserating with the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria government and people of Niger, over the loss, said Nda-Isaiah’s death was shocking.
“Sam Nda-Isaiah fervently believed in the Nigerian project and this reflected in his writings and the editorial focus and tone of his Leadership Newspaper.
“His contributions as a public opinion shaper and principled politician were profound and had put his imprints on the Nigerian history in spite of his early home call,” Lawan said.
Lawan prayed for sweet repose of his soul and for comfort for his loved ones in this period of their grief and after.
In his own condolence message, Gov. Oyetola expressed sadness over Nda-Isaiah’s death.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, in Osogbo, said the governor joined family members, the Leadership family, friends, and the media industry in the country to mourn the “celebrated newspaperman, publisher, politician, pharmacist and serial entrepreneur.”
He hailed the late publisher’s contributions to the growth of journalism in the country, saying that his death had created a big vacuum in the media industry.
He, however, said the only way to immortalise the deceased was to ensure that the newspaper and other media outfits he founded, continued to flourish in line with his vision.
Oyetola also recalled the roles the late publisher played in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and how he ensured that his medium maintained objective reportage of events leading to the 2015 general elections.
He described the deceased as a great businessman, a progressive politician and a patriotic Nigerian, who was strongly committed to the unity and development of the country adding tthat he left his footprints on the sands of time and that his legacies would always be remembered.
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The governor also prayed to God Almighty to grant his soul eternal rest and give his family and loved ones the strength to bear his demise.
Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, in his own condolence message said the late Publisher was “a patriot who demonstrated abiding faith in Nigeria, in words and in deeds.”
He also expressed shock and immense sadness at his sudden demise.
“True to the motto of his newspaper, ‘For God and Country’, Nda-Isaiah lived for his family, as well as for God and country.
“He had an unwavering belief in Nigeria and its ability to overcome its challenges and become a foremost member of the comity of nations. For him, it was not just a belief, it was a mantra.
“Where many saw challenges, he saw opportunity. Where many peddled fear, he preached hope.
“When many chose to fire darts, he opted to soothe nerves. He was indeed a great Nigeria and a true friend and brother,” Mohammed said of Late Nda-Isaiah.
The minister, like others prayed that God would take Nda-Isaiah to His bosom and give strength and comfort to his family and friends in this dark moment.
Nda-Isaiah, a pharmacist, turned journalist and publisher, was aged 58 years when he passed Friday night, after a brief illness.
