A member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Riruwai, has commended the Federal Government for approving the naming of the headquarters of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the late Malam Wada Maida, a foremost journalist.
The lawmaker also praised the Buki Ponle-led NAN management for proposing Maida.
Riruwai, who represents Doguwa State Constituency, gave the commendation on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He described Maida as a veteran journalist, who spent the better part of his life working for the agency in various capacities, the last being the Chair of the Board of Directors
The lawmaker, a board member of Peoples Daily Newspapers, described the late Maida as a father, mentor and selfless person who trained and nurtured many people in the media industry.
Riruwai also described the veteran journalist as a man of high repute and a symbol of peace and discipline.
“Maida played an important role in the structuring and sustenance of the agency’s global spread.
“The naming of the NAN House after Wada Maida is well deserved, considering his contributions to the development of journalism in the country,” he explained.
According to Riruwai, anytime he attends the board meeting of People Daily newspapers, he comes out enriched with wisdom and knowledge because of the calibre of people on the board.
He urged other media practitioners to emulate the late Maida in order to move the journalism profession and the country forward.
The lawmaker urged Nigerian journalists to always abide by the ethics of their profession and also put the interest of the country first.
Nigerian Tracker reports that Maida died on Aug. 17, 2020 and until his demise was also the Chair of the People’s Media, publishers of the People’s Daily newspapers.
NAN headquarters in Abuja was formally named Wada Maida House on Sept. 16 following the approval given by President Muhammadu Buhari.
