The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has enjoined journalists to emulate the “passion, commitment and self-contentment “of Malam Wada Maida, the late News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Board Chairman.
The minister stated this on Friday in Abuja when he paid condolence visit to NAN headquarters and signed condolence register opened in honour of Maida.
“You don’t measure greatness by how fat your bank account is or by what position you occupy. You measure greatness by how much you impact positively on the lives of those you come across.
“From the testimonies after his death, people said that while his colleagues opted for a life of luxury and vanity he remained committed to his profession; I think that is something to emulate,” he said.
The minister added: “Malam Maida has clearly shown us that at the end of the day, what is important is passion, commitment and self-contentment.
“He dedicated his life to his chosen profession. He lived it and earned greatness which the upcoming journalists should emulate,” he said.
The minister noted that in any chosen profession, if one remains committed, diligent and faithful one will achieve greatness.
In the condolence register, the minister wrote: “Malam Wada Maida. I wish you could read and hear the beautiful testimonies of friends, associates and the ordinary people whose lives you have touched very positively and you will realise how great a man you were.
“May Allah forgive your sins and admit you to Aljanah Firdausi”.
The Acting Managing Director of NAN, Mr Dele Ojo on behalf of the management and members of staff welcomed the minister to the Agency.
“We thank you for this visit and we want to assure you that the dreams and legacies of Malam Wada Maida will not be in vain.
“We will do everything to sustain his dreams and take NAN to the greatest level while counting on your support,” he said.
Maida who died in Abuja on Monday at the age of 70 was a former Editor-in-Chief and later Managing Director of NAN.
He was one of the pioneer editors of the agency and served as various times as its Regional Editor in Kaduna, Political Editor and London Correspondent.
He was Chief Press Secretary to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari when he became military Head of State on Jan. 1 1984.
After the Babangida coup in July 1985, Maida returned to NAN to become its Editor-in-Chief for eight years.
Until his death, he was a member of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute and also a shareholder of Media Trust Limited.
