By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed shock at the death of Wada Maida, its former president, and who until his death on Monday was the chairman of the board of directors of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Aged 70, Maida was also the chairman of Peoples Media Limited, publishers of Peoples Daily, as well as a member of the executive board of the International Press Institute (IPI).
He served as the chief press secretary (CPS) to Muhammadu Buhari when he was military head of state between December 31, 1983 and August 26, 1985.
He was appointed managing director of NAN in 1994, after serving nine years as editor-in-chief.
A statement issued by NGE President Mustapha Isah and General Secretary Mary Atolagbe expressed condolences to Maida’s family, colleagues as well as the government and people of Katsina, his home state.
It described him as “a thorough-bred professional, who contributed immensely” to the development of Nigerian journalism.
“His achievements as president of the Guild will never be forgotten. The death of this veteran journalist has robbed African journalism of the services of a man who was fully committed to the development of the profession.”
To the NGE, Maida was a shining role model for those behind him in the journalism profession, “where he stood out as a defender of free speech, promoter of the finest ethics of journalism and successful media entrepreneur.
“Though his sudden demise is painful, the Guild takes solace in the fact that … Maida left indelible footprints in the Nigerian media industry as a reporter, editor, editor-in-chief, managing director and publisher.”
Maida, who was born on March 5, 1950, was admitted into the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in 1971, after which he studied at Indiana School of Mass Communication from 1972 to 1975 and at Aberdeen College of Commerce, United Kingdom between 1975 and 1977.
