Everybody knew Sam Nda Isaiah
On
By Ali M. Ali
This year, 2020 will go down in history as the year I wrote the most tributes-some long, some short to eulogise the departed, not to glorify the living.
I am penning one more today on the death of Sam Nda Isaiah, late Publisher of Leadership Newspapers Group. I pray it will be the last one this year. In 2019, I wrote three tributes, two of them to celebrate icons in my corner of the world (media) who turned 60. First, it was Prince Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of ThisDay in July and Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesman in November of that year. And there was a dirge for my sister, Safiya who died in August. Though younger, she fretted like a mother.
That Sam gave up the ghost after a few hours’ battle against COVID-19 was an indication that the virus may be more deadly than previously assumed.
Now, health experts may have to re-examine the earlier thinking that the virus fights victims in a full circle through high fever, pains, difficulty in breathing, lung infection and triggering off any underlying ailment over an estimated period of 14 days or two weeks.
From Sam Nda-Isaiah, we know COVID-19, or perhaps, a variant of it could take life out of its victims in hours.
Sam Nda-Isaiah left an indelible mark in both the media and political sectors.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Francis Nwosu, said the election of Mallam Kabiru Yusuf as NPAN President was a testimony of his dependability, respect for his intellect and contribution to journalism in Nigeria.
This is just as the Abuja Newspaper Distributors Association (ANDA), said Mallam Yusuf’s emergence was a testimony to his foresight and doggedness in making Media Trust a global phenomenon.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a separate letter, expressed condolence to Mallam Kabiru Yusuf over the death of the founder and Chairman of the Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, who was also an Ex-Officio member of NPAN until his death.
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The statement also disclosed that a service of songs for the late media mogul will hold on December 27, 2020, at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja by 3 pm.
It could be recalled that Nda-Isaiah who held the traditional title of Kakaki Nupe, died on Friday, December 11, 2020, in Abuja after a brief illness. He was aged 58 years.
President Muhammadu Buhari and other prominent Nigerians, including former presidents and elder statesmen, have paid glowing tributes to the late publisher over his enormous contributions to the media community and national development.