Abuja – Pioneer editors of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have described the death of Dr Nwabu Mgbemena, a former Managing Director of the agency as painful loss of a germ.
Mr William Bozimo, the first Deputy General Manager of NAN in a telephone interview with NAN on Monday in Abuja, said the pioneer editors mourned the death of Mgbemena.
Bozimo said that the death of Mgbemena was not just a loss to the agency but to the nation at large.
“ Mgbemena was hard working man and easy going man who also liked enjoying life.
“As former university lecturer, he made sure that he impact on the reporting standard of NAN, and he played the role while he was alive.
“In 1985 when he was the General Manager (GM), I was his deputy, and we worked harmoniously as journalists, going after truth and NAN does not have room for mischievous report.
“ Mgbemena ensured that as a national news agency we should get the best,’’ Bozimo said.
He said that the pioneer editors cherished the period Mgbemena served as the General Manager of NAN.
“In 1978, six of us were appointed as editors to start work in NAN, he was later made GM and I as the Deputy General Manager of the agency.
“His death is painful, it is a blow to the NAN pioneer editors and I feel for his wife and children.
“For the rest of us who were pioneer editors, we want to wish his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.’’
Bozimo advised the agency to sustain the legacy and integrity that NAN founding fathers left behind.
He also stressed the need for the reporters in the agency to ensure that stories were balanced as well as giving priority to national issues.
“As older hands are disappearing like wide fire, we hope those of you who are in the agency would hold the integrity of NAN as it used to be.
“NAN is never a patrician agency, you report the story as it is and you tell the two side of the story.’’
He also advised younger reporters to get the best from the older hands as well as work harder “so that you will not destroy what we started in 1978.’’
Mr Mgbemena 71, died of cancer on April 22 in New Jersey, U.S.
He was one of the pioneer editors of NAN, where he rose to serve as managing director for two terms from January, 1985 to January, 1994.
He took over as Chief Executive Officer from Olufemi Adefela, who was then the General Manager of the agency.
(NAN)
