The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) has sent its condolences and deep sympathies to the family of Late Walter Nalangu.

“Walter was a friend to all who came a long his path. He was a natural broadcaster with the voice and personality that is accommodating in nature to win friends over, a rarity nowadays.

“He is probably one of the few media personalities in the region that has attended almost all PINA General Meetings in the last two decades,” PINA wrote in a prepared press statement.

“Walter has, on many occasions, assisted PINA with the training of broadcasters in the region. He was always willing, in his own quiet way to share his vast knowledge and skills with the younger journalists.”

PINA says the regional media family fondly remembers his last contribution at the biennial PINA Media Summit in Fiji in March last year, where he was asked at short notice to chair the Radio Industry group, a task he undertook successfully without any complaint . Walter steered the discussions with ease, resulting in a five point resolution from the broadcaster’s group.

Walter represented his employer, SIBC at the discussion in Tonga in 2005 that spearheaded the merger of the Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association (PIBA) and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

PINA says members will have their own fond memories of Walter and through the years the PINA Secretariat was like a second home for the Nalangu family when his daughter was studying at the University of the South Pacific.

“Our sincere condolences to his wife Janet and children, friends at SIBC and the Media Association of the Solomon Islands (MASI).

“Thank you Janet for sharing Walter with us, his brothers and sisters from around the region. So long Walter, we will miss your voice and smile. For Janet and the children, the PINA family prays that the Lord Almighty be your Comforter, Shield and Refuge.”