Sam Nda-Isaiah: Five Years After

There are special people in our lives who never leave us, even after they are gone.— D. Morgan

Just as the above quote suggests, five years have indeed passed by since December 11, 2020, yet, like winds on my mind, immutable thoughts keep invoking the feeling as if it all happened just yesterday. My phone rang in the early hours of that fateful day; it was his wife Zainab. Her voice, steady but troubled, told me in Hausa, “Mai gida bashi da lafiya.” [“My husband is not well.”] She added, “Mu na asibiti,” meaning “We are at the hospital.” I hurried out wearing only a T-shirt and a baseball cap, with a racing heart full of apprehension.

At the hospital I saw Sam. He did not look too bad, and when my gaze caught his, he smiled feebly and said, “You are here.” That was comforting. Harry Odey, a friend from university days, was also present. The doctors assured us it was not terminal. Encouraging updates followed: he was improving. Yet, around 10pm on the same day, Sam Nda‑Isaiah left this world. The mood that greeted the news of his passing was shrouded in pin-drop silence.

Although five years have passed by, Sam’s essence, work and vision continue to impact profoundly on his family, his community and our country. When we experience loss, we can take comfort in the Scriptures — biblical analogies that remind us that “the memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot” (Proverbs 10:7 KJV). Sam lived a life that embodied righteousness in action. His memory not only lives on; it is a blessing for those fortunate to have known him.

I remember listening to a story by Boss Mustapha, who at that time was the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF). The story further captured the person of Sam. Sam had arranged for someone to meet him on a Friday. He text-messaged the person to remind him of his arrival, even while he lay critically ill in the hospital. He was considerate up to the last moments of his life. The following day, Boss was shocked to hear that Sam was no more. He had been talking to Sam, not knowing he was in the hospital at the point of death.

A day before his death, Sam presided over the inauguration of the Board of Economists for National Economy, a title on the LEADERSHIP stable. He assigned tasks, created vision charts and engaged in work. His dedication was unwavering to the very end.

Sam was in Lagos attending the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) elective meeting, three days before his death. By mere happenstance, those tipped to occupy two major executive positions — president and secretary‑general — hailed from a particular part of the country. Some members felt uncomfortable with the development and insisted that it must be changed. But Sam kicked against this decision, insisting that the status quo must be maintained for equity and fairness.

Even though he was not on the ballot, he demanded that the right thing be done, adding that if justice was not compromised, he should be prepared for the consequences. He was fighting not for himself but for others. The character named Sam hated injustice in all its ramifications. In the end, justice and fairness prevailed following his intervention. This episode, shortly before his death, embodies his lifelong commitment to integrity and fairness.

Sam was not content with merely being an observer. He tried to make the world a better and more ethical place. He had exceptional foresight, great courage and remarkable resilience. The companies he established are solid proof of his belief in the quest for truth, integrity and idealism. The first time I worked with him was at North Links Industries in Kaduna in 1993. From there we went to Oakhouse Forte in 1997, and from there we proceeded to establish LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group in 2004.

At LEADERSHIP, I was the first and only resources manager.In  my engagement with him. Sam demonstrated his enviable knack for rewarding excellence when he promoted me to the position of assistant general manager — the first in the company’s history — after I had fixed a problem that almost cost the company a huge amount. I later became the first general manager in June 2006, heralding a series of subsequent elevations that saw me rising to managing director, LEADERSHIP Holdings, in January 2011.

I remember the countless journeys across Nigeria with him. None of these trips was merely for business; rather, they were about connecting with people, understanding communities, and planting the seeds of opportunity.

Our mom never approved of Sam joining politics. She feared something might happen to her son, considering the murky waters of the Nigerian political system. But the next thing she did shocked him. She travelled all the way to see him, and when she saw him she prayed for him. “May God’s will be done, and may you go in and out unscathed,” she prayed. That was all. Later, they continued to talk until the early hours of the next day.

When Sam passed on, breaking the news to Mom was agonising. I wasn’t there at the time, but when I saw her a few hours later, she sighed deeply and asked, “Is that what happened? Why did you allow him to die?” Her words pierced my heart. They were not accusations but a cry of anguish from a mother who always prayed for the safety of her children and believed that her prayer was powerful.

Sam’s story also bears the signature of her faith, her love and her grief — a reminder that nobody achieves greatness entirely on their own, and that behind every great man is a family that bears the burden of that greatness.

Sam’s life reflected the prayer of the Psalmist: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). To him, it was not poetry but a way of life. He learned to value the sunrise and the purpose of everything around him. He started doing what he needed to do without waiting until tomorrow. His urgency was borne of wisdom.

Sam took on big ideas and invented strategies from publishing to politics. His days were numbered with impact. He built job opportunities, raised every voice, and used every day to invest.

He numbered his days with love, the truest measure of a man. My brother was not just a brother; he was a mentor to me. I always learned from him and considered him a strong and compassionate leader. The essence of “numbering one’s days” is not to count the time to an end but to make each moment count. He was in a hurry to make a mark..

His life was a blessing that couldn’t be wasted. Sam’s legacy is one of purpose, integrity, and love. He did not squander the days he had. He filled them with meaning and left behind wisdom that lived after him. His name still opens doors, his memory strengthens hearts, and his example lights paths.

Sam’s life was a saga of conviction, courage and audacious ideas. He was a pharmacist by training but made a bold shift to the media – a risky road he took after our father Clement. “Making this decision was not just for my career; it was also my purpose.” This sentence means that the speaker thinks effectiveness in using words, being truthful and being organised — all have underlying power and each uses certain capabilities.

His media initiatives became spaces for national dialogue, accountability and vision. He had very high standards, enormous energy and a mind anyone else scarcely possessed. He was incredibly persistent and generous to friends and staff. He was a devout Christian. He was fearless and called things by their rightful names. His compass was integrity. His pursuit was justice. His demand was equity. He did not shy away from convenience or negotiate truth for popularity.

Five years after his passing, Sam’s legacy endures. We do not mourn as those without hope. Instead, we celebrate the blessedness of his memory. His vision lives every time we animated it, every time we uphold the standards he set, every time we speak truth to power. Up to this day, his name has refused to fade. It is an honour because he has sown seeds that continue to bear fruit. His works follow him, and his memory is truly blessed.

Sam Nda-Isaiah was a man of great wisdom, great courage and immense love. He lived fully, led boldly and gave generously. His days were numbered not in decline but in impact. Through his popular back page column, “Last Word”, he left a legacy of justice and fairness in Nigeria’s governance system. His writings uphold principles that ensure impartial and equitable treatment for all people as well as a system where everyone’s rights are respected. They canvass open opportunities for all, regardless of their background or personal characteristics.

Rest well, dear brother. Your heart was truly applied to wisdom. Your life was a beacon of righteousness. I think of you often as a source of strength. Five years later, we celebrate you, not because of what we have lost, but because of the life you lived.