The Interview Editors
Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, the emeritus chairman of Punch Newspapers has expressed sadness at the death of Sam Nda-Isaiah, the founder and chairman of Leadership Newspaper.
In a message of condolence on Sunday, Ogunshola said, “I am shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Sam Nda-Isaiah, the chairman of Leadership Group at the early age of 58.
“My relationship with him particularly developed and was largely confined to the era when I was the president of Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria between 2007 and 2011 and while he was a member of its Governing Council.”
The Punch chairman said, “Although he held strong beliefs on practically any matter that one had to discuss with him and stated them with characteristic vehemence, I found him quite open to alternative arguments when they have merit. He would, with a smile, say, “Chief, That’s true”.
“But what I admired most in him was his forthrightness, consistency and reliability as a member of that Council.”
Ogunshola said he communicated often with Nda-Isaiah, who would call him from some distant part of the world, even when you expected him to be sleeping.
He said Nda-Isaiah’s early wealth, elevated newspaper platform and high political contacts, especially in the states of the North and his sheer rugged persona emboldened him to say or write whatever he wanted to write or say.
He said, “I even thought he was older than he was. A strong ally and defender of then presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, he once told me that candidate Buhari was, in private group conversations, a witty and humorous man.
“My heart goes to his wife and children, the boards and staff of Leadership Group and the other companies which he owned or co-owned,” Ogunshola added.
