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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Friday, October 17, 2025, would ordinarily appear as a regular workday, but beyond the hustle and bustle of the day when Nigerians usually love to say ‘thank God it is Friday’ was a celebration of a media amazon and icon, Ms Sarah Sanda, who marked double celebrations – her 60th birthday and retirement after meritorious service at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The evening brought together eminent personalities, former ministers, government officials, Sanda’s immediate and extended family and, in particular, the NTA family.
Prominent among them were the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and his wife, Salamatu Gbajabiamila; wife of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar; chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada; immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Okey Udeh; chairman of the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA), Senator Emma Anosike; and the country vice president, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Eliana Martins, who was Sanda’s primary school classmate and friend.
Also in attendance were the former director-general, National Lottery Commission, Peter Igho; former acting managing director, Bank of Industry, Waheed Olagunju; wife of the immediate past governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Dr. Mairo Al-Makura; and wife of the former Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Tunde Akogun, Dame Tumi Akogun.
Members of the Rotary family in District 9127, led by its past District Governor, Ayo Oyedokun, were also represented.
The evening, which had a resplendent atmosphere serenaded with speeches of introspection, appreciation and gratitude, featured a traditional Tarok dance from Langtang Local Government Area, Jos.
Mrs. Atiku, who supervised the cutting of the cake, appreciated Sanda for who she is and prayed that the Almighty God keeps her in good health of mind and body to celebrate 120 years on earth.
Speaking exclusively with Daily Sun, Mrs. Atiku said: “Sarah is too good, I don’t even know how to describe her. I wish her a very, very happy birthday, good strength. You know she is a very good girl. She is so cool, a collected and very intelligent girl. I wish her all she wishes herself, I wish her good health, strength, and I wish her plenty, plenty, plenty years to come. She is going to celebrate 120, I told her.”
Also speaking, Gbajabiamila recalled that Sanda was one of those that made his transition from being a Lagos boy to a Jos boy very easy.
He said: “When I met my wife and I went to Jos, she made me feel very comfortable. Others were there, but still particularly stood out, maybe because she had Lagos blood in herself as well. She lived in 1004 at that time and ever since then, we’ve had a very, very good cordial relationship; we get along very well and she is somebody I have a great deal of regard for.”
The former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives prayed that Sanda’s best days, days of her past will be the worst days of her future.
Earlier, Onyeama recalled a chance meeting with Sanda at the Nigerian Television Authority’s head office in Abuja after an interview session, following his assumption of office as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The former Deputy Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization said that following Sanda’s impressive conversation with him at the NTA premises, having been extremely articulate, very bright and very well spoken, he invited Sanda to work with him which she obliged.
Onyeama said: “And that is how I got to work with Sarah Sanda and when I look at all the decisions I made during the eight years I was minister, I think without a doubt, this was one of the very, very best decisions I could have made – very calm, never stressed, always very well presented, very articulate and very good organiser.”
Continuing, Onyeama also said, “I call her ‘No Stress Sanda; No Drama Sarah,’” and that was how it was for the period they worked together, be it outside the country, inside the country, at the ministry, and Sanda was very, very good at organising and never looking for the limelight to push herself forward, but always there in the background, extremely effective, getting things done and it was transformative of the period that he was in office.
“She really was fantastic,” Onyeama stated.
Onyeama extolled Sanda’s fantastic inter-personal skills, saying that she made friends easily and worked with people very well. He described Sanda as a wonderful human being who is very considerate, very kind, very generous and very, very supportive.
“Sarah, I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful experience working with you; the dedication you showed, the absolute loyalty was absolutely amazing. You have Sarah on your side and you are good to go. You have no problems and you don’t have to look behind you; she is covering your back, and I really owe you so much for the really wonderful work that you did and as I said, it was really transformative in that ministry,” Onyeama said.
Onyeama further wished Sanda the very best, going forward, while also wishing her good heath, prosperity and everything she wished herself and prayed that God be with Sanda, protect her, guide her and prosper her.
For Mohammed, his path and that of Sanda’s crossed ever before he became a minister sometime about 12 years ago when she came with Gbajabiamila and his spouse to a function in Lagos.
“That was how we hit it off. Honestly I have known Sarah to be very unflappable and she is focussed and she is a pleasant lady all through and we are all happy to be with you today to celebrate your sixtieth birthday. We wish you many more years in good health,” Mohammed prayed.
In his remarks, Igho said Sanda was a special person and he couldn’t have said more than that.
Speaking on behalf of the NTA family, broadcast journalist, poet and media consultant, Eugenia Abu, recognised the notable NTA staff who have made phenomenal inputs in the life of NTA over the years, including the celebrant.
Abu, a former director of programmes at the NTA, prayed for Sanda, saying: “Sarah, our prayer for you is that you remain ageless as all NTA women are. We are very, very pleased that you have turned this golden age and God has spared your life. He will keep you young, He will keep you covered, He will keep you safe, He will give you joy, He will give you good health and so shall it be in Jesus’ name. Congratulations!”
In her tribute, Sanda’s sibling, director-general of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, said: “Sarah, my sister, my friend, the fourth child of Margaret Anmwa (née Kwashi) and Vonjen Gambo Sanda, God’s special gift to me, my family, indeed to our generation! As you step up to the sixth floor, we join you in gratitude to God the Ebenezer, for the awesome journey that your life has been thus far.
“A consummate, seasoned broadcast journalist and administrator, Sarah built a highly successful career in broadcast journalism in the Nigerian Television Authority. She rose through the ranks from a cub reporter, retiring as a director after 35 years of service.
“Her career was marked by passion, wholehearted commitment and principled dedication to public service which our parents instilled in us. These outstanding qualities took her to Transport and Foreign Affairs ministries where she served with two ministers without blemish as SA Media. She has literally stood before kings all over the world as the Holy Bible tells us that one who is diligent in his ways will not serve mean men, but will stand before kings.
“Sarah’s sense of service is not limited to public service, she is active in the community through her membership of community and social networks such as Rotary International and RJKs, among others.
“Sarah’s dedication to family is unwavering and total. She stands with and by family: children, siblings, grandchildren, in-laws are all beneficiaries of her devotion and care; no one is left behind.
“As I welcome Sarah to the 6th floor, a milestone age, I know without a shadow of doubt that the new season ahead is going to be even more outstanding. We live in interesting times, opportunities to impact society even at this age are almost boundless. So, I enjoin her to rest a bit, recalibrate and re-fire: the world awaits, Sis! God bless and honour you.
“I bless you with the blessings of your senior namesake, mama Sarah of old: you will yet laugh again, over and over again, you will be fruitful even in old age, your light will shine brighter and brighter still, to the glory of the One True God whom we serve.
“Stay wrapped up in God’s grace and favour!
“Happy birthday, darling sister mine, bestie for life!
“This is your season to refire for greater impact, for you ain’t seen nothing yet!”
Taking to the microphone, Sanda appreciated the array of people present at the event to join her to show gratitude to God.
“I call this celebration gratitude. It has been a journey of 60 years that seems just like 30 years, 30 days, however we want to look at it, but every step of the way God has been there; God has seen me through, throughout my school days, my working life, and brought me to this point,” Sanda said.
The former Special Adviser, Media, to the immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and the late Ojo Madueke, also a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, further said it was not by accident that she had come to meet each and every person in the room.
