NGE Deputy President dies in auto crash, Editors mourn ‘trailblazer, indefatigable, quintessential broadcaster’

Deputy President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Umar Saidu Tudunwada (UST), is dead.
He died in an auto accident on Sunday around Kura town in Kura Local Government area of Kano State on the Kano-Kaduna Road, while returning from a meeting of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja.
Umar, a former Managing Director of Radio Kano and General Manager of Freedom Radio, Kano was at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and was at various times the Hausa Correspondent of the VOA and Deutche Velle-Voice of Germany.
His wife, Aisha, who is a former Deputy President of NGE, daughter and driver are still in the hospital.
He was Editor, Concern Magazine, served twice as Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to former Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso as well as Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kano State Council.
A statement signed on behalf of NGE by the President, Funke Egbemode and Secretary, Mary Atolagbe, reads: “On behalf of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), we write to express our deep sense of loss and unquantifiable sadness over the death of our beloved Deputy President, Malam Umar Saidu Tudunwada.
“The depth of our sense of loss is as profound as it is shocking.
“UST, as we will always refer to him, was a trailblazer, an indefatigable and quintessential journalist/broadcaster.
“His sudden death following a ghastly car accident on Sunday, 30th of June, near Kura town, in Kura Local Government area of Kano State, has left us all reeling and at a loss for words.
“Yet, in all things, we must remember to continue to give gratitude to the Almighty God, who knows best!
“Our heartfelt and most impassioned condolences go to members of his family, who must have to bear his painful exit.
“We also extend our deepest sympathies to his friends, colleagues and staff in Kano State Radio Corporation, where UST was Managing Director.
“His unopposed emergence as the Deputy President of the NGE at the last Convention held in Lagos, on the 4th of May, 2019, speaks volumes of the high regard, respect and affection he enjoyed as an invaluable contributor to matters of the Guild!
“UST: We will undoubtedly miss you. Adieu to a goodly human being! We take comfort in the faith that Allah loves you more and will reserve a place for you in Jannatul Firdaus”
Turbanned as the Danmasanin Tudun Wada, his hometown, the deceased left behind 21 children and four wives amongst whom is the former Deputy President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (North), Hajiya Aishatu Sule.
He has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites at Tarauni cemetery in Kano metropolis.