Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has mourned the passing of the first Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Professor Tom Adaba who died in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 84.
Governor Ododo in a condolence statement on Sunday in Lokoja expressed grief over the demise of the ace broadcaster, communications scholar and media administrator, describing him as a leading light for development in Nigeria and a courageous voice of the people of Ebira land and Kogi state.
Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to the governor signed the statement.
“I am saddened by the death of our father and Leader, Professor Tom Adaba who has gone to be with his maker.
“Our prayers are with his immediate family, the people of Kogi State and Nigeria at large for the collosal loss of the man who is widely regarded as a teacher, mentor and leader by many in the media profession, the academia, Ebira community and Nigeria,” the governor said in the statement.
Ododo then condoled with the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, the entire Ebira people and Kogites over the demise of Professor Tom Adaba who holds the traditional title of the Ohieteohueyi of Ebiraland.
Born in 1941, the late Professor Tom Adaba was a man of many firsts having served as the first Nigerian to be elected as President of the African Council for Communication Education(ACCE).
He also served as the first Principal of the Nigeria Television College, Jos, Plateau State and later as the first Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission until he retired from public service in the late 1990s. (vitalnewsngr.com)
