Stanley Mshelia: Tribute to my brother, leader and a veteran journalist by Evelyn Onyilo

Penning down this tribute though painful, is one assignment that has to be done.

This is the orientation we have as members of the noble profession. Indeed my heart is heavy, grief has taken hold of my heart.

I lost my Leader, brother, mentor, confidant and friend Mr. Stanley Mshelia the popular voice on NTA News is gone to be with the Lord. His journey on mother earth is done.

I recall how we met about four decades ago when I joined the NTA in Maiduguri as a Cub Reporter, Stanley Mshelia popularly referred to as YA STA was our big brother who taught us the ropes and basics of news reporting.

Along with other mentors like Ibrahim Damisa, Garba Mamu, Umar Lamba NTA Maiduguri had the best crop of Editors then. Stanley Mshelia who covered the Government House for many years later returned as head of Reportorial.

He was friendly, approachable but firm that you got your news report done professionally as he had a keen eye for details.

To me, he was a real brother who was compassionate and full of empathy and kindness.

This made learning under his tutelage easy and interesting. At a time when women were few in the media space, Oga Stanley encouraged me and other young women in the profession, Cordelia Ukwuoma, Lydia Samson, Kwapchi Bata, late Jemima Bassi, etc, to aspire and grow on the job.

Years later when he became Manager, under his supervision, I became an Editor, News Producer and anchored the popular NTA Maiduguri News Programme, SUNDAY MAGAZINE for many years before I moved to NTA Headquarters, Abuja in 2003.

YAS STA was one of my advisers and campaign strategists when I ran and won the Presidency of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ in 2002 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Ya Sta, the news of your death on Saturday 2nd August 2025 came as rude shock.

This grief hits differently and has left a wide vacuum.

The journalism profession has lost a great newsman and professional. You lived a life of service and impacted your generation.

Though you are gone, we will continuously cherish the good memories and legacies. We will miss your kindness, high sense of humour and peaceful nature.

May the good Lord grant your great soul eternal rest and comfort your loved ones especially your dear wife, Ndapaya.

Adieu my Big Brother. Adieu my Boss. Adieu my Friend.

Evelyn H. Onyilo is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Phenomenal People Magazine.