He made Nigerians interested in NTA "A.M. Express" back then. Yinka Craig was a pioneer radio and television broadcaster, sports journalist extraordinaire, a national icon, an articulate compere and a detribalised Nigerian.
Early in life, Craig had planned to study Sociology preferably to the Ph.D level in the United States and stay there as a lecturer, but fate had his path cut out for him in broadcasting.
He joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria) in 1967 as a studio operator. He rose to the limelight as a sports commentator and analyst in the 1980s while on the staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The Guardian calls him a very well-informed commentator, adding that he was one of the most travelled broadcast journalists of his time. Craig later gave up sports analysis in order to diversify his talents. That decision brought out the best in him as a multi-talented professional.
Following his voluntary retirement from the NTA in 1990, he went into packaging private corporate documentaries just as he was involved in information technology (IT) and computer operations, through his marketing communications outfit, Yinka Craig and Associates.
He remained actively involved in television programming and soon became famous for his presentation of Newsline, a highly regarded news magazine feature on television.
Later, Craig also served as the main anchor of AM Express, an early morning show that is laced with freshness and originality. Craig impressed viewers with his encyslcopaedic grasp of varied subjects and inimitable presentation style.
He passed away on September 23, 2008 and as a journalist with PM NEWS, I was detailed to cover the funeral ceremony held in Lagos. It was truly emotional.
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