Senate President, Sanwo-Olu, AbdulRazaq, Tinubu mourn Leadership Publisher, Nda-Isaiah

Senate President

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, condoles with the family, friends of Sam Nda -Isaiah and the Nigerian newspaper industry over the death of the Publisher of Leadership Newspaper.

Lawan also commiserates with the Newspaper Proprietors’Association of Nigeria, and the Government and people of Niger State over the loss.

Lawan describes as shocking the death of the pharmacist-turned newspaper columnist, publisher and politician at the young age of 58 years.

“Sam Nda-Isaiah fervently believed in the Nigerian project and this is reflected in his writings and the editorial focus and tone of his Leadership Newspaper.

“His contributions as a public opinion shaper and principled politician are profound and have put his imprints on the Nigerian history despite his early home call,” Lawan says.

The Senate President prays for sweet repose of his soul and for comfort for his loved ones in this period of their grief and after.

Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the death of the Publisher of Leadership newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah as painful, saying Nigeria has lost another patriotic and detribalised citizen.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserates with President Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, the immediate family of the deceased, his friends and associates as well as the media industry, where the late Nda-Isaiah was a major player.

In a statement signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu said the late publisher’s eternal passage came at a time when Nigeria needed more of his knowledge and wealth of experience in different areas of endeavours.

The Governor added that the late Nda-Isaiah’s Leadership newspaper, which has been at the forefront of fighting for a better society had just honoured him along with some prominent Nigerians for modest contributions to humanity and was looking forward to attending the event.

He said: “Death is not what anybody has control over. It will come when it’s time. It is painful that the late Nda-Isaiah left at a time when some of us were looking forward to the Leadership newspaper event.”

“It is my prayer that God will grant him eternal rest and grant his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. He will be sorely missed.”

The late Nda-Isaiah who trained as a pharmacist, was a renowned columnist, and one time presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He died yesterday at the age of 58.

AbdulRazaq

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed grief over the sudden death of the publisher of Leadership newspaper Sam Nda-Isaiah, describing the development as a monumental loss to the media industry and the country as a whole.

“The death of Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah is one tragedy too many and we join in the national mourning of this national media icon and patriot. His death painfully depletes the ranks of patriots who would go to any length to protect the honour of our fatherland. The whole country will miss Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah for his unimpeachable contributions to media development, his brilliant writings, and his undisguised love for the country,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement.

“Those who knew Sam up close understand the strength of his character and the depth of his humanity. My brief conversation with him a few days ago following the unveiling of the Leadership’s 2020 awards once more underscored his passion for development that truly impacts on the lives of the masses. Adieu, Sam! On behalf of my family, the government and people of Kwara State, I commiserate with the people and government of Niger State, his immediate family, the media in Nigeria, and the Leadership family in particular over this grievous development. May the Almighty God comfort the bereaved and rest the soul of Sam.”

Tinubu

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has mourned the death of Leadership newspaper publisher, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, who he described as a courageous and conscientious journalist and columnist.

In an emotional statement issued by his Media Office and signed by Tunde Rahman, Asiwaju Tinubu said he had a cordial relationship with Nda-Isaiah.

He said: “I’m deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the death of Leadership Newspaper publisher, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah.

“He was a friend and associate. We had a built cordial relationship between us long before we founded the APC together with others and before he contested for the presidential ticket at the primaries of our party in 2014.

“As a journalist and columnist, he was bold, courageous, and conscientious. A pharmacist, he made an audacious move when he founded the Leadership newspaper in 2001.

Nda-Isaiah was not only a newspaper publisher, he was also an entrepreneur with varied business interests.

“His death is a blow to the journalism profession, which he served with all his heart. Perhaps, his last major appearance was last Tuesday’s Annual General Meeting of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria held in Lagos. My condolences to the NPAN. I commiserate with the management and staff of Leadership newspaper.

“I mourn in particular with his wife, children, and relations. May Almighty Allah comfort them and give them the strength to cope with this sudden death of their patriarch. I also extend my condolences to Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, the government and people of Niger State for the loss of their illustrious son. I pray that the soul of our friend, Nda-Isaiah, find eternal rest.”