Eulogies have been delivered following the death of Nigeria’s veteran broadcaster, Leo Keyen, the former chief of the VOA Hausa Service, who made a significant impact in broadcast journalism beyond Africa’s shores.
In an obituary announcement on behalf of the family, his younger brother, Engr. Noel Keyen disclosed, “With a heavy heart but all thanks giving to God Almighty, I wish to notify you that my Older Brother Miskoom Leo Keyen, the Nuwang Kurwat of Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, has just transited to glory at the TRUCARE Hospital, Rayfield road Jos, after a protracted illness.”
Keyen spent over 25 years at the Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTC) in Jos, Nigeria, where he worked from December 1981 to July 2007.
He eventually rose to the rank of General Manager (CEO), overseeing both television and radio operations that broadcast to over two million daily listeners.
In June 2011, Keyen joined Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, D.C., as a Supervisory International Broadcaster. He served as the Chief of the VOA Hausa Service.
Under his leadership, the service focused on expanding editorial content, coordinating regional coverage in Northern Nigeria, and maintaining rigorous reporting standards during critical periods, including the height of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Following his tenure with VOA, Keyen served as the CEO of Global Tourism and Entertainment Media LLC.
Eulogizing her father, Sophie Keyen wrote on Facebook, “Your unapologetic Daddy’s girl will miss you every day, pops. Sleep peacefully with Angels, my first love.”
In his tribute, the member representing Shendam Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Joe Bukar, who stated that he “received with profound sadness the news,” further described “the passing of Miskoom Leo Keyen as painful and a huge loss to the entire Goemai Nation.
Hon. Bukar extended his “heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, friends, and the entire Goemai community, praying God to comfort all who are grieving.”
While offering words “God’s comfort to family and teeming friends,” a Veteran journalist, Jonathan Isahaku, eulogized the broadcaster whose influence extended beyond the newsroom as a “Broadcaster per excellence” and “The man who ‘forced’ me to speak in Hausa to the world on VOA.”
The graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU) and Bayero University, Kano (BUK) excelled while overseeing radio and television programmes at the VOA that addressed political, social, and developmental issues across Nigeria and West Africa.
While soliciting “Prayers for the repose of his soul,” the family noted that “Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.”
