Craig, ace broadcaster, dies at 60

By Chuks Nwanne and Yemi Olakitan,published in the Guardian Newspapers ONE of Nigeria's foremost sports journalists, Yinka Craig, is no more. He passed on after a long battle with lymphoma, cancer of the immune system, the ace broadcaster, died yesterday at 60.  According to David Olamide Craig, a member of his family, the AM Express presenter on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) died at 6 a.m. yesterday in Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America (USA).  Survived by his wife, Dr. Kehinde Craig, his sons, Olayinka and Olamide and his only daughter, Temilola, the late Craig was a pioneer radio and television broadcaster, sports journalist extra-ordinary and a national icon. Medical experts described Craig's ailment as "cancer of the lymphatic system, which is a network of tubes, glands and organs that are parts of the body's defence against infection. The broadcaster is said to have started the battle with the infection about one and half years ago. His close associates expressed shock over his passage. Femi Jarret, renowned music promoter and actor, exclaimed: "Oh God! I'm just hearing. He had been in the U.S. for treatment and we were hopeful that he would regain his health..." To the head of Creative Arts Department, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Duro Oni, "Craig's passage is unfortunate. No more comments for now." "I'm in shock actually," reacted Bayo Ogori, one of Craig's producers on the AM breakfast show. "Was he sick? I've not been around for a while. This is a great loss to the media profession. Craig was a thorough professional, very friendly, charming and nice person to work with. It is a great loss!" Ogori mourned. In the view of the renowned cinematographer, Tunde Kelani, "it is a terrible loss. Craig was a friend, a colleague and he was very knowledgeable about so many things. Highly devoted and he loved his profession with a passion." The former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Danladi Bako, described Craig's death as "a very great loss. He remains one of the most effervescent, most professional, and most irrepressible broadcasters Nigeria ever produced. He knew a bit about everything and everything about a bit. He could discuss anything from quantum physics to cerebral malaria to David Bwie or Graham Central Station. He remains a quintessential gentleman. I knew him since 1977 at NTA: my office was porter cabin 8A while his was 9A; we were very, very close."  The Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, yesterday described Craig's passage as a great loss not only to the media industry but Nigeria as a whole. Daniel said in a statement issued on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wale Adedayo: "The late broadcaster could be counted among the first 11in doing the nation proud in his chosen profession. "Yinka Craig's passion, professionalism and sense of patriotism in a profession that prides itself as epitome of quality service was almost without equal." The governor prayed that the Almighty God would grant his family, colleagues and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Craig had been diagnosed with cancer since last year; and had been receiving treatment at an American hospital for months. He hailed from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Craig spent the better part of his 60 years of life in radio and television broadcasting, running oft-innovative programmes - from sports to Weekend Newsline, to morning magazine programmes -warming viewers' hearts with his inimitable style of presentation, genteel humour and a characteristic toothy smile. His 40 years in broadcasting, from the days of the old Western Nigerian Broadcasting Service (WNBS), is almost as old as the history of broadcasting in independent Nigeria, and certainly synonymous with it. Throughout his journalism career, Craig was regarded by many as a mentor and role model. He had numerous admirers in nearly all areas of human endeavour in Nigeria.  His humour and good nature will be missed in many events where the list would not be complete without his name. Younger media men who have worked under him would remember Craig as the man, who helped them cut their teeth, especially in sports journalism. He was amiable and easy-going. His presence was dignifying as he carried himself with so much respect. Former Sports Manager of NTA and Craig's boss then, Fabio Lanipekun, described his death as a great loss. Lanipekun, said Craig was the most accomplished all-rounder broadcaster the nation ever produced. "If he were to be the citizen of any other country, he would be celebrated. "There was no programme he could not handle and he gave joy to millions of people. May his soul rest in peace." Waheed Olagunju, Craig's junior colleague at NTA, believed that his death would give him the needed rest, "it is very painful, very painful indeed. He was my boss at NTA. "It is very sad, but it is also good that he is resting. We just thank God for his life, the last few months have not been easy, but what can we say but to thank God for his life." Akinloye Oyebanji another junior colleague of Craig at the NTA described his death as a serious blow. "He was a thoroughbred professional who was always thinking ahead. "He was always talking about broadcasting, even when he was ill, he has been thinking about programme, which he promised would shake the world when it eventually came out."