The National Population Commission (NPC) Press Corps on Thursday paid a condolence visit to the management of the Commission over the death of its Chairman, Dr. Aminu Yusuf.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the NPC Press Corps, Joshua Adamu, said the visit was to commiserate with the Commission, management and staff over the loss of the chairman and to acknowledge his contributions to the activities of the Commission.
Adamu said members of the Press Corps, which comprises 34 major media platforms across the country, shared in the grief of the Commission and the family of the deceased.
He said, “Life belongs to God, and when He calls, there is nothing anyone can do. All we can do is accept that which God has done.”
According to him, the Press Corps had the opportunity to meet with Yusuf on three occasions during his tenure and witnessed his commitment to working closely with the media to promote the activities of the Commission.
Adamu said the late chairman had expressed his desire to strengthen the relationship between the NPC and the media so that the activities and achievements of the Commission would be properly communicated to Nigerians.
“He expressed his desire to work with the Press Corps to ensure that the story of NPC is told by NPC and not from outside,” he said.
He added that Yusuf’s commitment to his duties was evident in the manner he continued to attend to official responsibilities despite his health challenges.
“Even when he was not too strong, the office was the place he always wanted to be. He was advised to stay away from the office so that he could take care of himself, but he always wanted to be here.
“He would travel all the way from the United States and the next day be in the office. That is somebody who really wanted to see this Commission move forward,” Adamu said.
He expressed the hope that the legacies and initiatives of the late chairman would be sustained by the Commission.
Reading the Press Corps’ condolence letter, its Secretary, Blessing Ambrose, said the death of Yusuf was not only a painful loss to his family and loved ones but also a significant loss to the NPC and the nation.
The letter described the deceased as a leader whose engagements with the media and commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to the Commission would remain memorable.
It stated that his contributions to the advancement of population and vital statistics administration would remain part of the Commission’s institutional history.
“Beyond the office he occupied, Dr. Aminu Yusuf was a leader whose presence, counsel and interactions will be remembered by those who encountered him in the course of duty,” the letter stated.
The Press Corps expressed solidarity with the management and staff of the Commission and extended condolences to Yusuf’s family, friends, colleagues and stakeholders who worked with him.
It prayed that God would grant the family and the Commission the fortitude to bear the loss and grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.
Receiving the delegation, the Acting Chairman and Federal Commissioner representing Plateau State on the NPC, Hon. Mrs. Mary Ishaya Afan, said the late chairman understood the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the Commission and the media.
Afan said Yusuf was particularly interested in ensuring that the Commission’s activities received adequate public visibility through effective engagement with the media.
She said the late chairman had initiated plans for closer training and collaboration between NPC officials and the media to improve the Commission’s public communication.
According to her, the Commission would sustain the programmes and initiatives commenced by the late chairman.
“All the Federal Commissioners, that is the entire Commission, will sit down. All the activities the chairman had started, we are not going to abandon any of them,” she said.
She assured the Press Corps that the Commission would consider its proposed programme of activities and work with the media to ensure effective projection of NPC programmes.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the NPC, Dr. Abuh Mohammed, described the visit as a family gesture, expressing appreciation to the Press Corps for identifying with the Commission at a difficult time.
Mohammed said the Commission would sustain the vision and programmes of the late chairman and continue to build on the working relationship he established with the media.
He thanked the Press Corps for the condolence visit and assured the delegation that the Commission appreciated its support and would reciprocate the gesture.
