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Opinion

Tribute: Sam, my other brother

His name preceded him. Sam Nda-Isaiah or Sam, as he was fondly known, was one of few patriots and detribalised Nigerians I have come across. He mainly made a name for himself as a firebrand columnist, first with the Daily Trust and later, the Leadership newspaper that he established.

I met Sam the first time in 2001 at the inaugural meeting of the editorial board of the Daily Trust, to which we were both pioneer members. Ever since, we remained close and spoke on the phone when we could.

Sam’s style of writing of often calling a spade, spade, made him become household name. Former Nigerian presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were put on their toes by Sam throughout their tenure. He influenced Nigerians to reject Dr Jonathan in 2015 by his ceaseless attacks on the downside of having the former President continue in office.

When the elections were over and President Buhari was sworn in, I had no doubt that he was going to be part of the new cabinet, but it was not to be. I never got to ask him what happened, but whatever the reason, those close to the President were unfair to him.

He deserved ministerial appointment for his contribution and loyalty to the President, despite his poor decision to contest in the presidential primaries. I am sure it was nothing more than a shot at improving his CV for future political sojourn.

Sam was a great man and a dogged entrepreneur who positively impacted the lives of thousands of Nigerians that he employed over time under his group of companies. Adiós my friend. Rest in peace.

We shall surely miss you.

Iyawa is Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Mexico.

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