Monday 20 January 2014

Tributes Pour In For Komla Dumor Ghanaian Born BBC Journalist by Benson Agoha


* Komla Dumor.

The death of Komla Dumor, 41, in his home in London on Saturday has been received with shock around the world.
Dumor, who joined the BBC in 2006 to host the radio programme Network Africa went ahead to present "The World Today" from 2008. In 2011 Dumor started to present the `World News' and `Africa Business Report' on the BBC World News television.

Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama called him Ghana's gift to the world. He wrote‏ "Our nation has lost one of its finest ambassadors. Komla Dumor was a broadcaster of exceptional quality and Ghana's gift to the world."

Peter Horrocks‏, Director, BBC Global News and Chairman, BBC Media Action wrote "I will remember Komla's massive smile. And his even bigger handshake. Thank you Boss."

On hearing of the death, his colleagues at BBC Africa tweeted "Very sad to learn of the sudden passing of dear colleague, brother, friend and consummate professional Komla Dumor."

Others who had a chance to meet and work with him closely have spoken well of the journalist whose grandfather was said to have written the Ghana's National Anthem

Lyse Doucet, Another BBC colleague wrote "Today we lost one of our most distinctive BBC voices, a brilliant broadcaster who was like a brother. RIP Komla Dumor."

Yvonne Ndege‏, Al Jazeera correspondent for Africa tweeted "Sad to hear we've lost KomlaDumor. A friend and colleague, gone too soon."

* Komla Dumor talks to Nigerian Actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde‏ who expressed shock at the news.

Nigerian actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde‏ who had once been intervied by the presenter also expressed shock at the news. She wrote "Oh No! Komla! Oh life!Too shocked."

Writing for the Premium times, Nigerian born novelist Chimamanda Adichie paid tribute to the BBC presenter. She said having met the late journalist from the first time, seven years ealier, when he went to interview her in Lagos, and several times thereafter, she knew they would be friends.

Adichie said Komla Dumor had "no false modesty but yet had an endearing insecurity lurked beneath his flair-filled confidence. He had, too, something close to innocence, a wonderful capacity for wonder."

Komla Dumor‏'s last tweet to his over 43.200 followers was on Friday January 17, 2014 when looked forward to his next interview. He had written "Looking forward to interviewing #SouthSudan ex child soldier musician Emmanuel JAL on Focus on Africa today at 1730GMT."

Ten days earlier, on January 7, he wrote about his observation from the faces of fellow parents who had dropped their children for the secondary school admission exams, saying "Sec sch admission exams season in #London-just dropped my daughter off 4 one of them #parents look more emotional and nervous than d girls".

His death is suspected to be as a result of a heart attack.

May his sould rest in peace.

* Twitter: @bensonagoha.

* Twitter: @woolwichonline.

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