He served Nigeria as a committed patriot – Obaseki
By Gabriel Atumeyi
The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has announced the passing of a colleague, Sam Nda-Isaiah.
Mr Nda-Isaiah was the Chairman and Publisher of Leadership Group of Newspapers.
The association, in a press statement, signed by Malam Kabiru Yusuf and Mohammed Idris, president and secretary respectively, said this huge loss is even more devastating and painful ‘because Sam was not only a colleague but a friend to all in the industry.”
“The nation woke up this morning with the startling news of the death of one of the key investors in the Nigerian media, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, the Chairman and Publisher of Leadership Group of Newspapers.
“For us in the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), this huge loss is even more devastating and painful because Sam was not only a colleague but a friend to all in the industry.
“His commitment to the values and objectives of the association was unflagging to the very end; he was together with the rest of us only last week in Lagos, when elections into the national executive council of the NPAN were held, and Sam was elected as an ex-officio member.
“Sam Nda-Isaiah has left indelible footprints in the annals of the Nigerian media. He started as a publisher right away with Leadership Confidential, a subscription-based monthly newsletter which, in 2004, he transformed into Leadership, a gutsy, stylish weekly newspaper that caught the eye of Nigerians as soon as it hit the newsstands.
“His desire to transform his beliefs into policy made him to make a foray into party politics where he ran for president in the 2015 general elections. Politics made him to drop his column but the general direction of his newspapers was consistent with what he had been writing.
“We wish to console his dear wife Zainab and their children, as well as his extended family, friends and admirers with the fact that Sam’s concrete contributions to the development of this country in particular and the continent in general are visible and appreciated.
In the same vein, Former President Goodluck Jonathan has also commiserated with the Nda-Isaiah family and the management of Leadership Newspapers on the passing of the publisher.
Mr Jonathan, in a condolence message to the family, described the late Mr Nda-Isaiah as an erudite journalist and columnist, who deployed his creativity towards promoting peace, progress and unity.
He also noted that the late publisher was deeply committed to the public good, adding that he would be missed for his patriotism and incisive commentary on the state of our nation.
The former President said: “I commiserate with the Nda- Isaiah family, the Nigerian media, his political associates and all sympathisers on the demise of Sam Nda- Isaiah at the age of 58 after a brief illness.
“Sam Nda- Isaiah was a pharmacist, an erudite journalist, a columnist and a newspaper publisher who deployed his creativity and platforms to promote the peace, progress and unity of Nigeria.
“As a politician, publisher and entrepreneur, he was a man of deep commitment to solving many of the challenges within our country.
“He will be missed by many members of our society, for his incisive commentary on the state of our nation and for his patriotism.
“I pray for consolation for members of his family and all affected by his death to take solace in the fact the late journalist lived an impactful life of service and he was an inspiration to many especially those within the media.”
The International Press Institute (IPI) also said it “received with disbelief and shock, news of the death of Mr. Sam Nda- Isaiah, Publisher of the Leadership Newspapers and Patron of IPI.
“We mourn Mr Nda-Isaiah’s death at a time his services are still needed in the media industry and in the nation.
“We offer our condolences to the family of our departed colleague, to the staff and management of Leadership Newspaper and to the entire media community.
“May God Almighty accept the soul of Mr Nda-Isaiah and give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Similarly, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, mourned the passing of the Publisher, describing as remarkable, his dexterity and strides in journalism and nation-building.
The governor, in a statement, noted that Mr Nda-Isaiah served Nigeria as a committed patriot and contributed immensely to national development while he lived.
According to him, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah. He was a committed journalist who explored several opportunities to contribute to nation-building. His commitment to progress and advancement would be greatly missed.”
The governor added that the late publisher was a firm believer in the Nigerian project, noting that his fervent zeal to drive change would not be forgotten.
He prayed for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.