…Says Borno Has Lost A Sister, Good Ambassador
SAN FRANCISCO, December 03, (THEWILL) – Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Wednesday, extolled the virtues of the late Northeast Correspondent of the Voice of America (VOA), Hajiya Sa’adatu Mohammed Fawu, saying the state has lost not only an outstanding journalist and good sister but also a good ambassador .
Fawu died early Wednesday in Abuja after a protracted illness.
Before her death, Fawu, who hailed from Gombe State , was assigned by VOA to report health and related issues in the Northeast, with Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as her base.
Mourning the late VOA Correspondent, in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Isa Gusau, on Wednesday, Shettima said he was deeply touched by Fawu’s death, describing it “as the loss of not just an outstanding journalist but also the loss of a good sister and a good ambassador of Borno State.”
According to Shettima, “I came in contact with Hajiya Sa’adatu about six years ago when I was Commissioner for Health in Borno State while she was covering health issues for the Voice of America. Sa’adatu was always very passionate about the health and well being of citizens of Borno.”
“She showed extreme concerns at every point over any health challenge whether an outbreak or existing issue that affected the well being of Borno citizens especially women and children. She was always passionate about the functionality of the health sector in Borno State which was why she regularly reported matters of concerns that aroused from her interactions with members of the public directly to my office whether as Commissioner of Health in those days or as a Governor in recent time and on many occasions.”
Shettima explained that the late journalist offered “good and selfless suggestions to me with the sole aim of advancing healthcare in Borno.”
Shettima further said: “I so much valued her passion for the health sector so much that as a Governor, I gave serious considerations to her views regarding the health sector in Borno State and our numerous programmes.
“Her great interest and outstanding reports on the health were sources of inspiration to me as someone that shares her area of strong interest.”
“I therefore consider her demise not just a big loss to her family and the Voice of America but indeed a personal loss and a loss to Borno State Government. Borno State and its people will forever be appreciative of Sa’adatu’s contributions to the advancement of Healthcare delivery in the State.”
Describing the late Correspondent as a unionist that would be missed by many people including her colleagues whom she tried to better their lots, the governor prayed for the repose of her soul.
