News
Buhari, Jonathan, Others Mourn Nda-Isaiah
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and sadness at the death of the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah, describing him as “a friend and ally.”
The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina early hours of yesterday, condoled with the media fraternity, the Nda-Isaiah family, friends and associates of the deceased, saying “the country has lost a man of conviction, a resolute and dogged believer in a better Nigeria.
“He will be sorely missed. This is a massive fish gone out of the media ocean,” Buhari further said of the pharmacist, renowned columnist, and one-time presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also reacting, the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, commiserated with the Nda-Isaiah family and the management of Leadership Newspapers on the passing on of the founder and chairman of the Leadership Media Group, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah who died, last Friday.
The former President, in a condolence message to the family, described the late Nda-Isaiah as an erudite journalist and columnist who deployed his creativity towards promoting peace, progress and unity.
Jonathan also noted that the late publisher was deeply committed to public good, adding that he would be missed for his patriotism and incisive commentary on the state of the 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”, Jonathan added.
The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, said that the contributions of the late Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah as a public opinion shaper and principled politician were profound and have put his imprints on the Nigerian history despite his early home call.
In a statement, yesterday, Lawan condoled with the family, friends of Sam Nda-Isaiah and the Nigerian newspaper industry over the death of the publisher of Leadership Newspaper.
In the statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Ola Awoniyi, the Senate President also commiserated with the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), and the government and people of Niger State over the loss.
Lawan described as shocking the death of the pharmacist-turned newspaper columnist, publisher and politician at the young age of 58 years.
He said, “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.”
The Senate President prayed for sweet repose of his soul and for comfort for his loved ones in this period of their grief and after.
Similarly, the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) it was devastated by the shocking news of the death of the Founder and Chairman of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah, who passed on at the age of 58, last Friday.
The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, in a statement, yesterday, said the development was a monumental loss to Nigeria and the Northern region.
He said the country lost a visionary Nigerian in the person of the late businessman and media personality.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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