The late Ghanaian journalist, Komla Dumor, who was the main presenter of Focus on Africa, a BBC World News programme, said some hours before his death that his resolve to build a career in journalism was borne out of his exposure to the Nigerian media.
The BBC presenter, who was regarded as one of Ghana’s best journalists, died in his London home on Sunday of a heart-related disease.
Dumor presented the Focus on Africaprogramme, which premiered in June 2012, each week day from its inception until his death.
The journalist, who had a stint as a pre-clinical medical student at the University of Jos, Plateau State, wrote in his penultimate post on Twitter on Friday that he was inspired to be a broadcast journalist after becoming a fan of the Nigeria Television Authority Network news which runs daily.
He particularly mentioned the news cast by the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh, when he was with the NTA in the 1980s. He said Momoh’s style of news presentation kept him glued to the TV and inspired him to become a newscaster.
After posting a photograph of himself and that of Momoh, Komla wrote, “He (Momoh) was the man who inspired me to become a newscaster; the brilliant John Momoh — awesome on NTA news in the 80s.”
Dumor was active on both Twitter and Facebook, as he attracted audience to the Focus on Africa programme with his social accounts. He also commanded a decent following, with a combined 160,808 on both social networks.
Meanwhile, scores of his followers, admirers and colleagues have begun paying tributes to the late journalist. Among them is Ghanaian President John Mahama, who tweeted that Dumor was his country’s “gift” to Africa and the rest of the world.
“Our nation has lost one of its finest ambassadors. Komla Dumor was a broadcaster of exceptional quality and Ghana’s gift to the world,” Mahama said in a tweet.
Co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates, in her tribute wrote, “Bill and I are saddened by the death of BBC’s Komla Dumor. His work bringing the stories of Africa to the rest of the world will be missed.”
Two-time Ghanaian presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, described Dumor as a role model for many young African journalists.
While lamenting his death, Akufo-Addo wrote on Twitter that Dumor’s death was a great loss to the media industry in Ghana and the rest of Africa.
He wrote, “Komla was a source of great pride and joy to all Ghanaians as a hardworking media practitioner who strove for excellence in journalism. His very professional and diligent approach soon turned him into a role model for many young journalists in Ghana and Africa.
“Komla Dumor’s sudden demise is a deep loss, not just to media and journalism in Ghana, but also to Africa and the world. I recall Komla’s trail-blazing radio morning show in our country.”
Editor, BBC Focus on Africa, Rachael Akidi, said she was shocked to learn of her colleague’s death; adding that they were both at a party the night before his demise.
Akidi, an Ugandan, described Dumor as a colleague and brother whose works she was proud to have produced.
Akidi said, “We lost a colleague, a brother. Dumor was a great journalist and it was always joy to produce him. He reached for the stars and inspired us to do the same. He was humorous and always thankful to God.
“Dumor made working night shifts so fun and easy; a brilliant broadcaster, and he did it so effortlessly. Proud to have produced him. In stature, heart and intellect, he was a giant. We chatted and laughed with a star-struck fan at Joel’s leaving party last night. You were not ill. Still numb. Gone too soon!”
Another colleague of his at the BBC, Sally Bundock, said she was devastated at the news of the death of her co-presenter.
“I’m devastated to hear the news that my co-presenter died suddenly on Sunday. He was a very special man. My thoughts and prayers with his family. A very sad day, as we are supposed to be on air today (Monday). Apologies if I’m wobbly,” she said.
Cable News Network’s Isha Sessay also tweeted, “I am so very sad to hear the news that my friend, Komla Dumor, has died. He was a great guy and a true gentleman.”
A Nigerian, Ibraheem Sanusi, who hinted that he followed his Focus on Africa programme closely on BBC, said the deceased was a big inspiration to him.
“I doubt if #KomlaDumor knew he was such a star and an inspiration to a lot of people before his death. Death glorifies the good,” Sanusi wrote on Twitter.
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