Veteran news broadcaster Aisha Bello’s funeral prayer will be held today, Monday, in Abuja’s central mosque as Nigerians mourn and celebrate her strides in journalism.
Some listeners of NTA news broadcast in the 1990s and 2000s said her passion spurred their interest in journalism.
She will be remembered for her popularly known intro to the news cast, “Welcome to the Network News at 9. I am Aisha Bello Mustapha, and here with me is Cyril Stober.”
Chronicle NG reports on how Nigerians on social media recount the impacts of Aisha Bello.
Yinka Obebe wrote, “Rest well, Ma. Aisha Bello Mustapha. She was one of the voices, along with others like Frank Oliseh, Cyril Stober, and Abike Dabiri, that defined my TV experience growing up in the 90s in Nigeria.”
“There are a couple other names I can’t remember now. I initially always wanted the news at 9 to pass quickly so I could see the movie, but over time I fell in love with those newsreaders, repeating their words and enunciating after them.”
“At some point, I so wanted to be Cyril Stober; I went on to read news like him as much as I could at the assembly in FGC Minna and even got an award.”
“Aisha Bello was always calm and just said the words so effortlessly.”.
“It is well! Nathaniel wrote that he loved journalism because he already knew the intro to the news whenever the NTA news montage played.
Supreme said, “Rest in peace, Aisha Bello, for all the times you announced public holidays and we didn’t have to go to school.”.
“In a way, for the young people of our generation, Aisha Bello and her fellows gave identity to NTA, and not the other way around. May Allah have mercy upon your soul and reward you abundantly for, especially, your iconic modesty, Aliyu Hayatu said”.
Aisha Bello died on Sunday, according to the family statement.
“Funeral prayer will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2023, in Abuja’s central mosque, the statement read”.
“Innalilahi wa inna Alaihin Rajiun. May Allah forgive our mother, Hajia Aishat Bello Mustapha.”.
“Mama, indeed, you are a very kind-hearted person. We will miss you, and we hope you are enjoying Rahma, they added”.
