Ace broadcaster, pioneer director general of National Lottery Regulatory Commission and President of Urhobo Leadership Forum, Abuja, Olorogun Peter Igho, has mourned iconic broadcaster and one-time Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Professor Tom Adaba.
Professor Adaba died recently, aged 83.
Igho in a statement sent to THE CONCLAVE, said: “The news of the passing away of Prof Tom Adaba hit me like a thunder bolt. I had to walk to his house to see the crowd of mourners, his daughters who confirmed the sad truth, to believe.
“He was not just a senior colleague whom I knew since 1972 when I was teaching after graduation and he was my supervisor, he was a lot more.
“The fact that I had heard much about him before then from two of his younger brothers Patrick and Emmanuel who were my school mates in the then St John’s College Kaduna, started our relationship on a good note.
“We were to meet again in the TV world when he joined NTV Jos as a pioneer staff member and I was engaged later at NTV Sokoto also as a pioneer staff member.
“With an engaging personality, he was full of fun and made friends easily. And yet he packed so many leadership qualities that placed him at the head of the pack always.
“He was pioneer Principal of NTA Television College, pioneer Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Chairman of the board of a broadcast outfit I consult for, one-time Chairman of our Estate committee, the ‘father’ of the church committee that raised support for our church from foundation to completion, a leader in the Ebira community, etc, etc.
“Leadership came naturally! We have been family friends since we first met and living on the same estate within walking distance and attending the same church, has brought our families closer. I have been at every event held in his home over the years, and we have been there for each other in dealing with official, personal, and family issues.
“But Tommy Steel as I fondly called him, had many families! His immediate family, his NTA family, the NBC family, his Catholic church family, his Ebira family, his Gaduwa Estate family, the scores of so many that he had inspired and helped over the years and many more.
“We are all grieving. My sincere condolences to all the families and friends. We must, however, take solace in the fact that he achieved so much in all his endeavours and touched and inspired so many lives positively.
“We all and the country that he served so well will forever remember him and thank God for his life.
“May his soul rest in peace. Amen.”
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