BEVERLY HILLS, April 24, (THEWILL) – A former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Nwabu Mgbemena, is dead.
Mgbemena, 71, died of cancer on April 22 in New Jersey, U.S.
His close associate, Tony Idigo, confirmed the death on Sunday in a telephone interview.
Mgbemena 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.
He attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in journalism.
He became a lecturer at UNN, where he rose to become a senior lecturer at the Department of Journalism, which was later re-named Department of Mass Communication.
Mgbemena also obtained a master’s degree from the Syracuse University in New York as well as a doctorate from the Texas Southern University in Houston, U.S.
After his teaching stint at UNN, he joined NAN as senior editor when NAN was established by the Federal Government in 1978.
Mgbemena was one of the “original nine editors,” employed at the take-off of NAN. They are Olufemi Adefela, Nwabu Mgbemena, Sani Sambo, Wada Maida, Dave Igiewe, Godwin Omole, Toye Olofintuyi, Willie Bozimo and Chukwura Ezebube.
He was at one time, chairman of a pool of news agencies in West Africa with headquarters in Cotonou, Benin Republic, through which regional news agency journalism was developed in the sub-region and served as one of the advisers on media and communication to Chief Jim Nwobodo, during his tenure as the Governor of old Anambra State.
The current Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Lawal Ado, said that Mr. Mgbemena’s death was not only a loss to journalism but to the nation as a whole.
“Dr Mgbemena was a humanitarian, who was always ready to listen to problems and offer solutions.
“He gave NAN sense of direction. He was a father to all,” Ado said.
Mr. Mgbemena was survived by wife, Faustina, daughter Nkiru and three sons.
Ms. Nkiru said that her father’s remains would be brought to his country home at Obosi in Anambra at a later date.
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Story by David Oputah
