President Muhammadu Buhari, hordes of Nigerian journalists and others have expressed shock over the death of Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah, describing him as “a friend and ally.” He died, aged 58, late Friday night after a brief illness.

His death shook the media community as it was sudden. The zest publisher was not known to many be ill as he was still active till the previous 24 hours to his death.

The president, in a condolence message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Saturday night condoled with the media fraternity, the Nda-Isaiah family, friends and associates of the deceased.

‘The country has lost a man of conviction, a resolute and dogged believer in a better Nigeria.

“He will be sorely missed. This is a massive fish gone out of the media ocean,” Buhari said of the pharmacist, renowned columnist, and one time presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The late Nda-Isaiah attended the Newspaper Proprietors of Nigeria (NPAN) meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday where Daily Trust publisher, Kabir Yusuf, emerged new president of the association.

The deceased was alongside publisher of The Pilot, Prince Dannis Sami and Ray Ekpu, a past president of the association nominated without opposition as ex-officios of the NPAN.

Several journalists have taken to social media to mourn the mediapreneur. Former editor of Leadership, Catherine Agbo, simply wrote: “You were the boss, fare thee well”.

Media scholar and PR expert, Chido Nwakanma wrote: “It is a dark day of sorrow the news of the death of Sam Nda-Isaiah, publisher of Leadership newspaper and founder of the Leadership Media Group.

“Sam Nda-Isaiah was a significant player in the evolution of the Northern and Nigerian media. He was building a behemoth and strong influencer in the best traditions of the development of Nigerian media. Leadership deserves a robust dissertation for its role in the growth of the media in Nigeria and significantly in Northern Nigeria. The departure of its animating spirit and inspiration makes it even more pressing.

“ I mourn his loss and commiserate with the many stakeholders of this great dearly departed citizen.”