Governor, State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola has described the death of the Chairman, Board of Directors of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mallam Wada Maida, as devastating and a huge loss to his immediate family, the NAN family and journalism in Nigeria.
Mallam Wada Maida, died on Monday at the age of 70.
The late Maida was the Press Secretary to President Muhammadu Buhari when he became military Head of State in December 1983. He later served as the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of NAN and was also a member of Board of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Oyetola in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Tuesday, said Nigeria had lost one of its finest, credible and veteran journalists, noted that the late Maida contributed to the growth of Journalism in the country.
He added that his demise was a collective loss to the media industry and Nigeria at large, saying that he would be remembered for his humility, dedication to work and passionate service to the nation.
The governor commiserated with the family of the deceased, his friends and associates, management and staff of NAN, the media industry in Nigeria and the government and people of Katsina State.
Oyetola prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the misdeeds of Mallam Maida and grant him a place in Aljanah Firdaus while also asking Allah to comfort his family at this difficult period.
