Pioneer Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Dr Tom Adaba is dead.
Aged 84 years, Adaba died in his Abuja residence in the morning of Saturday, February 22, 2025
The late Adaba,the first Nigerian to bag a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Mass Communications was born in Okene, Kogi State on July 2, 1941.
He was also the Pioneer Principal of the Nigeria Television College, Jos, Plateau State.
Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivasa, Secretary, Egbira Elders Forum, Abuja brach confirmed the death of Dr Adaba in a whatshap message to other members of the forum.
“I feel sad to inform you that our elder and Leader, Prof Tom A Adaba, just answered the call of nature by given up his ghost to the Lord this morning.
“Further details about his burial arrangements would be communicated later.
“We thank God for his life. May God have mercy on his shortcomings and grant his soul eternal peaceful rest in His Heavenly Kingdom, Amen,” the message reads.
Dr Adaba was the first Nigerian (between 1988 and 1992) to be honoured as President of the African Council for Communication Education
Dr Tom Adaba, born in Okene in the present day Kogi state, is of Egbira ethnic extraction, which constitutes the third largest ethnic group in the state, according to demographic reports.
While alive, Dr Adaba does not shy away from drumming support for Egbira cause anytime he has the opportunity.
A foremost trainer of broadcasters and an administrator, Dr Adaba was the first Nigerian to bag a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Mass Communications.
He is credited for pioneering the establishment of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Training School in Jos, Plateau State and was its pioneer principal.
Also, in 1992 as a deputy director in NTA Lagos, when he was reportedly set to be prematurely retired from service following a down-sizing exercise, former President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him as the pioneer Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); a position he occupied for seven years before he bowed out of public service in 1999.
As someone who raised six biological children, who are into broadcasting in various media organisations across the country, he was a fulfilled father and professional.
