• His death, huge loss to Nigeria –Adesina

From Gyang Bere, Jos, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja and Rose Ejembi, Makurdi

Former chief press secretary to late military head of state, Sani Abacha, David Attah, is dead. He died at the age of 71.

Daily Sun gathered that Attah, who also served as spokesperson to Abacha’s successor, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, died early yesterday after a protracted illness.

The death was announced yesterday by his son, Emmanuel Attah.

He reportedly died at a private hospital in Jos, Plateau State, where he was receiving medical treatment.

Attah’s younger brother, Elvis, described his late brother as a humble gentleman who loved humanity. Elvis said his elder brother died two months to his 72nd birthday.

Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has described Attah’s death as a huge loss to the nation and the media industry.

In a statement by Deputy Director (Information), Attah Esa, Adesina lauded Attah’s distinguished service to the nation as a journalist, politician and opinion leader.

In his condolence message, the presidential spokesman noted that not only did the former Abacha’s image maker carve a niche for himself in the course of his journalism career, he was, also, a strong voice in the nation’s political terrain during his stint in the House of Representatives in the Second Republic.

Adesina said Attah will be long remembered for his candid views, measured and mature contributions to national discourse and enjoined media professionals and colleagues to draw inspiration from the career of Attah. He urged the family of the departed to take solace in the knowledge that their father lived a fulfilled life.

The late Attah was commissioner for Information in Benue State and Group Manager of Plateau State owned Standard Newspaper. He was also Group Personal and Manpower Development of Daily Times Newspapers.

The deceased, who hailed from Agila in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, was also Group Manager, Voice Newspaper and in the early 90s, a representative of Ado federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Attah, who lost his wife some years back, had since been in and out of hospitals battling with illnesses associated with old age, until he died at a Jos hospital, yesterday.