Kogiflame
A Tribute to the Late Media Legend
“Life is pleasant.Death is peaceful.It’s transition that is troublesome “-Isaac Asimov
On 22nd February, 2025, Prof. Tom Aaze Adaba (OON) breathed his last; he prevailed over the trouble of transition and has been ushered into the dawn of a better life in the hereafter as a believer in the resurrection and Life. He went to join the saints on the other side of eternity.
The death of Prof. Adaba hit us in the Ebira Renaissance Group (ERG) with a benumbing disbelief. It’s not as we believe that Adai Tom will live forever, but no matter how long a good man lives, it is always too early to lose him. It was a huge sense of loss not just to Anebira but the entire Nigerians and the entire media world.
Since our path crossed during the crisis period of local government creation by Governor Audu’s administration in 2011, where his house was torched, ERG discovered him that he had charisma, panache and transparent moral decency.
He was vivacious, open, friendly and very accessible to all. In spite of this incident, he never gave up on Ebira, rather he teamed up with some Ebira patriots in Abuja, the likes of late Prof. Albert Ozigi, Alhaji Ademoh of De Club 10, Nigeria Alh. Mohammed, Joseph Anibasa etc. to seek the unity andimprovement of Ebiraland.
Born July 2, 1941, a great catholic, he was, deeply religious, he bore no mark of fanaticism. He was humble and humane. Every opportunity he was given to serve he served with a daring dignity, honour and distinction so much so that, he exhausted every frontier for a new challenge in life.
Prof. Adaba aspired for priesthood which made him to have a stint at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala in the present day Imo State. He was and studied Advance Teachers College (ATC) Kano where he first got a taste of broadcasting. He wanted to be in the military, but that was never to be.
His divine and true calling was in the media and an opportunity came when he got a scholarship from Untied States Agency for International Development (USAID) to study Mass Communication at Ohio University, USA. Prof. Adaba took his first appointment with Benue-Plateau Television, Jos in 1974. Six years later, he was appointed first Principal, NTA College, Jos. Between then and 1989, he did his PhD programme, making him the first in Mass Communication. Prof. Adaba had earlier earned Masters degree in Indiana University, USA. Between 1990 and 1992, he served as General Manager, NTA Makurdi, Benue State and Deputy Director (Operations) NTA Headquarters, Lagos.
Prof. Adaba was a man of many firsts:
✓ First Nigerian to be President of African Council on Communication Education (ACCE), Nairobi, Kenya (1988-1992).
✓ First Principal of NTA College, Jos.
✓ First PhD holder to be produced by the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Jos.
✓ First PhD holder in the Mass Communication Industry.
✓ First Director General – National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
– First Chairman, Board of Trustees of Oniwon Education Trust Fund.
✓ Vice Chairman, Board of DAAR Communication, owner of AIT, Raypower and Faaji FM.
Prof’s eloquence and brilliance always illuminated the boardrooms of NBC, DAAR Communication and Tao FM 101.9 and his humbling exposition on issues with uppermost humility was legendary.
When ERG got to know him at close range, he was a human dynamo who has left an indelible eternal impression in all of us.
He recognized the fact that, the virtue of integrity, morality, service to God and humanity are greater than trappings of cosmetic material adventurism. Prof. Adaba refused to follow the deranged majority in the desperate service of parochial survival; he was never among the rest but rather, always ahead of the rest and ahead of the learning curve.
This played out in NBC, DAAR Communication and Tao FM. He was firm and resolute in defence of the truth; he spoke the inconvenient truth to authority and rejected the lure of the disingenuity of political power. We therefore feel the gapping void and the deep pain of his exit at this time.
Prof. Adaba never lost touch with the happenings in his homestead. His organisation – Front for Ebira Solidarity (FES) was and still in the forefront of the advancement of Ebiraland. This is why the first community radio in Ebiraland was made possible by this organisation of which Prof. Adaba played a major part.
ERG believes and witnesses to the fact that the Prof. was selfless in his understanding of the very essence of life and duty. After his retirement in 1999, Prof. remained a consultant, a teacher and public speaker. Consultant to the United Nations Department Programme (UNDP), Associate Prof./Head, Department of Mass Communication, Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.
He was a recipient of the Nigerian National Honour – Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). He held the title of Ohi-Etohueyi of Ebiraland. Prof. was never conquered by jealousy and pursuit of careerist vendetta either as a broadcaster of note or articulate academic.
He was a towering figure and his visionary leadership was quite evident in all the places he headed. Aside from transforming the mass communication industry, he also laid a strong foundation for ethic journalism and responsible broadcasting across the country.
His unwavering passion for broadcasting as testified by some of his mentees, his infections enthusiasm, his generosity in sharing his knowledge and expertise, speak volume.
He was a true mentor, teacher and disciplinarian whose insights illuminated the path for many of his mentees. Prof. Zuru once intoned “beyond the pain of your exit, you have by your divine graciousness lived a fulfilled life of mesmterising accomplishments”.
We in the ERG take solace that Prof’s legacy will continue to inspire and motivate those in the broadcast industry, and those of us in the struggle for the betterment of Ebiraland. His impact on all facets of life is immeasurable and his memory will remain etched in our hearts.Norman Cousins said, “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.
Adai poured out all the good inside of him to the services of his nation and his local community. He never reserved for the grave what was needed on this side of eternity.
Farewell to an icon! Your enviable legacy lives on.
Pastor Suleiman Manjoe
Alh. (Dauudu) M.I. Japa
Coordinator, ERGSecretary, ERG
