Veteran Journalist Elder Ayanda Passes Away at 83

Elder Ezekiel Olabanji Ayanda, a veteran journalist, passed away at the age of 83. Born in June 1943 in Isanlu, Isin Local Government Area, Kwara State, he began his journalism career in 1970 as a radio operator at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation at Kano International Airport.

Driven by a deep passion for journalism, he pursued professional training, earning a diploma from institutions in the United Kingdom, including the London School of Journalism. Ayanda worked as a correspondent for newspapers and was mentored by notable figures like Chief Ajayi Memayetan, which helped shape his media career.

He later joined the Kwara State Ministry of Information and moved to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Ilorin in 1978, where he underwent further professional training. After 17 years of meritorious service, he retired from NTA in 1995 and founded Ayanda Ventures, a media production outfit providing video coverage, television, film production, and documentary services, while also mentoring young people in media-related skills.