Nigerians reacted to the sudden death popular newscaster with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Aisha Bello Mustapha who reportedly died early hours of Monday, December 11, 2023, at a hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Aisha Bello was a former General Manager of NTA Parliament and a prominent newscaster on NTA Network News at 9 PM in the 90s and 20s. Her career spanned 35 years before she retired from active service in May 2022.
With over two decades in broadcast journalism, Aisha was a news producer, current affairs producer, news caster and Head of Environment Desk at NTA HQ, Abuja.
Following the news, Nigerians on major social media platforms described Aisha as a professional and model broadcaster.
The Herald captured some of the reactions, see below;
Rest well Ma. Aisha Bello Mustapha.
She was one of the voices with others like Frank Oliseh, Cyril Stober then 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… pic.twitter.com/dFcUyeBzSF
— Yinkaobebe (@yinkaobebe) December 11, 2023
Aisha Bello Mustapha, the veteran broadcaster at the NTA, left an indelible mark in the world of broadcast journalism and on the heart of many Nigerians.
May her soul Rest In Peace. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/Nw7fspVbko
— Ayodele Akinlo (@AyoAkinlo) December 11, 2023
Inna lilahi wa inna Alaihin Rajiun!
May Allah forgive the soul of Aisha Bello Mustapha of @NTANewsNow
Mama indeed you are a very kind hearted person.
Funeral Prayer to hold in central mosque Abuja today Monday 11th December 2023 by 1:30pm. pic.twitter.com/xHXx95DZ31
— Dogo M Shettima (@ShettimaDogo) December 11, 2023
In the quiet hours of dawn, the voice that echoed our evenings, Aisha Bello Mustapha, departed. A luminous star on NTA, she shared our evenings with grace alongside names like Cyril Stober. Today, as the sun sets, we bid farewell with heavy hearts #RIP pic.twitter.com/TRqPGzyHDs
— Uche Nwachukwu (@talkuche1) December 11, 2023
Aaah, the golden voice amongst the NTA news broadcasting team, Mrs. Aisha Bello Mustapha. We will miss you and your services ma. Do rest in the Lord's bossom😢😢 pic.twitter.com/KmRRBSAe7q
— OLAMMA🍒 (@Oscar_delpy) December 11, 2023
My younger years was influenced by NTA. My father will never miss his 9 pm news and we stayed around to watch and listen.
I remember vividly this lines-
“Welcome to the Network News at 9. I am Aisha Bello Mustapha and here with me is Cyril Stober.”
Rest in peace Ma'am, Aisha…
— ℑ𝔰𝔞𝔟𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔞 (@madamefeyella) December 11, 2023
@ijwavesmee wrote: “O dear! I still remember her as a child. Not only was her voice golden, but she was exceptionally beautiful. Rest on Ma.”
@Nkunkumehn wrote: “Rest in peace, Aisha Bello. The streets will never forget your work rate.”
@therealdaddymo wrote: “Rest in peace, Aisha Bello. One of the most striking and recognizable faces on the NTA News back in the day. Such class. Such professionalism. May God comfort your family and loved ones 🕊️🕊️🙏🏾💔”
@sweettreats_byprincess wrote, “Omg…She made me want to be a newscaster in the early 90s. May her soul RIP.”
CFC_MC wrote, “AISHA BELLO, I can remember her during NTA days along with Chris Sober. . May her soul rest in peace. So sad right now.”