By Gabriel Atumeyi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and his Deputy, Ahmed Idris Wase, have described the sudden death of the publisher of Leadership Newspapers Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah, as a shock and huge loss to the media industry.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, Gbajabiamila said Sam Nda-Isaiah’s death came at a time that the services of the media were needed most to promote unity among Nigerians, as well as the development and growth of the country.
The Speaker also condoled with members of his immediate family, the management and staff of Leadership Newspaper, the Nigerian media industry, especially the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), over the loss.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of late Nda-Isaiah, adding that the late publisher would be remembered for contributing his quota toward Nigeria’s development through the media.
Similarly, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Muhammad Puma, Wase said his death was a huge loss to the nation and the media industry particularly.
“Nda-Isaiah, even though a pharmacist, revolutionalised journalism and was a man that placed the nation above self in all his dealings.
“He was very industrious and one of few Nigerians from the north to successfully run a national newspaper. In that role, he never ceased to use the opportunity as a means of uplifting national interest.”
Wase also sympathised with the family and prayed God to forgive the deceased of whatever ill he may have committed and grant him eternal rest.
“I pray that God will grant the family he has left behind the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
“My sympathies are also with the management and staff of Leadership Newspapers Group and I pray God to console them,” the statement concluded.