By Miriam Humbe, Abuja
Former President of the United States, Barack Obama on Sunday, took to social media to mourn the late American Lawyer and former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Newton Norman Minow.
Minow died on Saturday at the age of 97.
Fondly referring to the late attorney as Newt, Obama described him as a friend, mentor and his early supporter.
Obama said that in his lifetime, Minow embodied the ideal of public service as he helped launch the satellite that made nationwide broadcasts possible in the US.
He said that Minow cemented presidential debates as a national institution and helped usher in public television, reminding the media of its obligation to foster a well-informed citizenry.
On his Twitter handle, @BarackObama, the former President of the United States said that he’d always owe a great debt to Minow who helped introduce his wife, Michelle to him back in the days.
@BarackObama wrote: “Newt Minow was a dear friend, mentor and early supporter of mine. He also embodied the ideal of public service – helping launch the satellites that made nationwide broadcasts possible, cementing presidential debates as a national institution, helping usher in public television, and reminding the media of its obligation to foster a well-informed citizenry.
“I will always owe a great debt to Newt, most of all because he helped introduce me to Michelle when we were both young lawyers in Chicago.
“We will miss him dearly, just as we miss his beloved wife, Jo, who passed away last year, and send our love and thoughts to their family.”
According to Wikipedia: “Newton Norman Minow was an American attorney who served as Chair of the Federal Communications Commission.
“He was famous for his speech referring to television as a “vast wasteland”.
“While still maintaining a law practice, Minow served as the Honorary Consul General of Singapore in Chicago since 2001.”
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