Nigeria Television Authority news anchor Aisha Bello Mustapha is dead.
The news of the death of the veteran broadcaster came in the early hours of Monday.
According to BBC Pidgin, the journalist died after a brief illness in Abuja.
Aisha was a popular face on the local television network in the 1990s and 2000s.
A family friend, Zainab Sabo, confirmed the death, adding that she will be buried according to Islamic rites later in the day.
“The funeral prayer will take place at Abuja Central Mosque on Monday.
“Mama (Aisha) is indeed dead, and we are going to miss her, and we pray God bless her soul,” Zainab tells BBC Pidgin.
It was reported that details of the cause of her death at the moment are unknown.
The late journalist retired from active service in May 2022, after a 35-year-long career in the broadcast industry.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has extended his deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues, including the management and staff of NTA, Africa’s largest television network, as well as the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria.
This was contained in a Monday statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement noted that the President joined them in paying solemn respects to the highly professional news anchor and presenter.
It read, “During her time as the presenter of the flagship ‘NTA Network News at 9’, Nigerians and viewers around the world looked forward to seeing her smile, warmth, and wisdom as she delivered news that can be trusted objectively.
“She mentored many young women who took to broadcasting, mainly by watching and listening to her eloquence, passion, and integrity on the screen, in the newsroom, and off the screen.
“Her legacy in broadcast journalism lives on in the rich news archives she leaves behind and the contributions she made to the development of broadcasting in Nigeria. She brought news to life and will continue to be a beacon to inspire generations in the beautiful art of broadcasting”.
