President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday joined million of Africans to shower encomium on first female Television presenter in Africa, Anike Agbaje Williams, who turned 80.
The President in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, said commended the quintessential courage and persistent spirit of Williams.
The President described her spirit worth emulation for constantly pushed herself to improve on her God-given talent until she reached the pinnacle of her career, carting home many awards even after retirement.
Buhari prayed that the almighty God will grant Williams longer life, good health and more strength in her newfound love of singing in the choir after retirement.
As one of the pioneer African television broadcasters, better known as ‘‘Africa’s First Lady of the Tube’’, the President believes the veteran journalist worked hard to inform, educate and entertain her listeners, and to also sustain the legacy of Obafemi Awolowo, who established the WNTV as a ‘‘surrogate teacher’’.
Anike, who retired after 35 years of broadcasting, was a newscaster, presenter and first African female to appear on television, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Buhari described Anike as a broadcaster with sonorous voice that ruled the industry for more than 30 years, starting out early with the first television station in Africa in 1959, WNTV.
As wife of late chief judge of Oyo state, had earlier lamented diminishing standard in the media industry especially broadcast.
She said “I and some of my contemporaries keep asking then what was the essence of all the years we gave to the job for, if standards we set are not been improved upon. It pains my heart, when I see some broadcasters, ‘why, what did we do wrong,’ is the question I always ask.”
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