Tears and encomiums have been pouring for popular media personality and American-born radio presenter, Dan Foster, who died Wednesday at a Lagos hospital due to yet to be disclosed illness.
But speculations were rife that the lively and very engaging broadcaster may have succumbed to radio COVID-19.
Immediately the news broke, twitter and other social media platforms were metaphorically set on fire by Nigerians who eulogised him to high heavens for the great work he did in Nigeria till he breathed his last.
Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, tweeted: “Dan Foster was a good colleague in my days at Cool 96.9 fm, Lagos. He couldn’t pronounce my name well at the time so he changed it to G-Boyega! Reading about his sudden death now is shattering. Radio lovers all over the state will miss your voice. RIP.”
Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, tweeted, “A lot of people are saying one, two or more good things about Dan Foster. That shows how a good person he was. May God accept his soul, comfort his family and friends.”
Media entrepreneur, owner of the Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, also penned his sorrow over Mr. Foster’s sudden death: “The death of Dan Foster saddens me. He was an excellent friend of mine and a veteran radio host bar none. May his soul rest in peace.”
CITY FM, where the barritone-voiced presenter delighted Nigerians with his breezy, yet deeply analytical presentations, also mourned the great American on Twitter. The organisation wrote: “Dan Foster, you will be greatly missed. Your time at City was wonderful and we loved working with you. Our hearts go out to his family at this time, we pray that God comforts them. . Rest In Peace, Legend! The broadcast media will never be the same without you.”
Some social media influencers also mourned Dan Foster on their various social media handles.
Kemi Smallz tweeted: “Man, rest in peace, Dan. From growing up listening to you to being your co-host on a morning show for a while. Thank you Dan, for teaching, mentoring, inspiring and guiding me. For always fighting for me when you could. The Big Dog forever.”
JJ. Omojuwa wrote: “Dan Foster’s voice was a huge part of my growing up. His voice on Cool FM. His playfulness. His kindness. Long before I saw what he looked like, his voice communicated his personality in a way no picture needed to. This one is one loss too many. This is a really sad day.”
Kola Tubosun said; “Yet to read a decent obituary of Dan Foster. A Black American who chose to settle in Lagos, he was a huge influence on Nigerian radio from the early 2000s. Will like to read his story. Who was he? What motivated him? He obviously touched a number of lives. May he rest.”
“This one hit me HARD! Worked at close quarters with Dan Foster for over a decade on both Cool FM and Classic FM. Flamboyant,vibrant,funny and so full of life! A first class Pro! So long BIG DAWG!!”, says Deji Omotoyinbo
“RIP Dan Foster. School car rides would not have been the same without you. Rest easy” @HamofArabia lamented.
Dan Foster arrived in Nigeria in 2000 and hit the ground running. No sooner had the big American landed these shores than he won the heart of Nigerians. He quickly became the favourite of millions of radio listeners with his barritone voice and chirpy humour.
Fondly known as the Big Dawg, Foster first worked with Cool FM, Lagos, an entertainment and news radio station where he made a huge impact, quickly turning his name into a household song. He would later join Inspiration FM before moving to City FM, both in Lagos.
