The National Population Commission (NPC) Press Corps has condoled with the Commission over the death of its Chairman, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, describing him as a media-friendly leader who recognised the importance of effective communication in projecting the Commission’s work.
The Press Corps, led by its Chairman, Joshua Adams, paid a condolence visit to the NPC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, September 10, 2026, where the delegation presented a condolence letter and signed the Commission’s condolence register.
The delegation was received by the Federal Commissioner representing Plateau State, Mrs. Mary Ishaya Afan, mni, who is currently overseeing the office of the Chairman, alongside other Federal Commissioners, the Director-General and management staff of the Public Affairs Department.
Speaking during the visit, Adams recalled the late chairman’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media, saying the Press Corps had met with him three times before his death.
According to Adams, Yusuf had expressed his desire to work closely with journalists to ensure Nigerians were better informed about the activities of the Commission.
“At the last World Population Day commemoration, that was the last time we met with him. He asked us to draft a programme of activities and share with him so that we could work together to project the activities of the Commission,” Adams said.
He disclosed that the NPC Press Corps has about 34 platforms drawn from major media organisations across Nigeria.
Responding, Afan said the late chairman understood the strategic role of the media in achieving the objectives of his seven-point agenda for the Commission.
“No matter how hard-working you are, if you don’t work very closely with the media team, information will not go out,” she said.
Afan assured the journalists that the Commission would sustain the programmes initiated by Yusuf, saying the Federal Commissioners had agreed not to abandon his plans.
“We are not going to overturn any of them. We would want to have those programmes of activities soonest so that we can key into them immediately,” she said.
Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner representing Oyo State and Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee, Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji, described Yusuf’s death as a major loss to the Commission.
He recalled the late chairman’s willingness to strengthen engagement with media executives, including his acceptance of a proposal to host a dinner for media leaders in Abuja.
“We thank you for this visit. The NPC will do as much as possible to sustain the mission and this collaboration that we have with you,” Oyetunji said.
The Director-General of the NPC, Dr. Abuh Mohammed, described Yusuf as a visionary leader who came into office with a seven-point agenda aimed at transforming the Commission.
Mohammed said the late chairman was a humble and open-minded leader who carried staff along, rather than imposing himself on them.
He assured that the Commission would continue to pursue the policies and programmes initiated by Yusuf in honour of his vision for the institution.
