The death has occurred of Kola Danisa, a veteran journalist and former Director/Managing Editor of the News Agency of Nigeria.
Family sources said Danisa, popularly known as KDK among the NAN family, died at his residence in Abuja on Thursday morning after a protracted illness.
Danisa, aged 66, hailed from Edo State is survived by a wife and five children.
He joined NAN on August 29, 1980 as a reporter and retired as a Managing Editor on February 19, 2012.
He attended Olowogbowo Methodist Primary School, Lagos for his primary education; Ibadan Boys High School, Ibadan for his Secondary and Higher School Certificate.
Danisa also attended University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, where he read Mass Communication between 1976 and 1979.
The news of Danisa’s passing on has triggered reactions and tributes from his former colleagues in NAN and the larger media community.
Olusegun Aribike, former Editor-in-Chief of NAN, said: “Our colleague and friend, Kola Danisa, passed away this morning. He had been sick for some time. He shall be greatly missed.
“May the Lord grant him eternal rest and console his family.”
Isaac Ighure, also former Editor-in-Chief/Executive Director (Marketing) of NAN, described KDK’s death as shocking.
Ighure said: “The last time I spoke with him, he sounded much better and much more optimistic. May his soul rest in peace.”
Toyin Olorin of the Nigeria Guild of Editors said: “This is unbelievable, but what can we say or do about death? I am sad. May God give his family and friends the fortitude to bear this loss.”
Malam Yusuf Zango, Editor-in-Chief, NAN, said: “We learnt a lot from him.
“He was a dedicated and committed journalist, who practised and wanted others to practise journalism as it should be.
“He was a jovial person, even after service NAN was using his as a resource person.”
Mohammed Momoh, a retired Director/Head of Administration of NAN, said Danisa would be greatly missed for his brilliance and mentorship.
Momoh said: “He was a great grammarian, quintessential editor, mentor and a hardworking journalist, who believed in ethical and quality journalism. May the Almighty Allah rest his soul.”