President Bola Tinubu expresses deep grief over the passing of Chief Dan Agbese, a veteran journalist, prose stylist, author, and co-founder of the trailblazing Newswatch weekly magazine.
Agbese, who was the Awan’Otun of Agila town in Ado LGA of Benue State, died on Monday at the age of 81 in Lagos.
President Tinubu describes Agbese’s death as painful and a profound loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the country as a whole.
The President says Agbese, alongside his colleagues at Newswatch, helped pioneer a new era of investigative and interpretative journalism in Nigeria, transforming media practice and setting standards for ethical and courageous reporting.
“Dan Agbese was not just a journalist; he was an institution. His pen shaped public opinion, strengthened democratic discourse, and inspired a generation of media practitioners.
“He served Nigeria with integrity, courage, and commitment to truth and justice. His contribution to the evolution of the modern Nigerian press will be remembered forever.
“I join his family, particularly his wife, children, and the entire media community, in mourning. May his legacy continue to guide the noble calling of journalism in our nation,” the President adds.
SANWO-OLU
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passage of renowned journalist and one of the founders of Newswatch Magazine, Chief Dan Agbese, describing his death as a colossal loss to the media industry in Nigeria.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the death of the ace columnist and journalism icon is painful and heartbreaking.
Chief Agbese, a well-celebrated journalist, author, columnist and publisher, transited to eternal glory on Monday, November 17, at the age of 81.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the rich experience and knowledge of Chief Dan Agbese, who is a mentor and role model to many media practitioners in Nigeria, will be sorely missed.
He said: “The death of a journalism icon and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Chief Dan Agbese, is a great loss to the media industry and Nigeria, as well as his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
“He was a bold, courageous and uncompromising journalist, editor, columnist and publisher who made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria.
“Chief Dan Agbese was a veteran journalist and author, famous for his seminal contributions to journalism practice and renowned for his satirical columns in many publications. He made great impacts as Editor of The Nigeria Standard and New Nigerian newspapers; General Manager of Radio Benue, Makurdi; Editor-in-Chief and one of the founders of the trailblazing Newswatch magazine.
“He was a role model to many journalists in Nigeria, having nurtured and provided platforms for media practitioners who have become leading voices in the journalism profession and leaders in different sectors.
“On behalf of the Lagos State Government, I sympathise with the Agbese family of the Ikpilogwu clan of Agila District, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, especially the widow, Chief Rose Agbese, and the children of the deceased over the demise of the patriarch of the family.
“I also commiserate with the deceased’s friends, colleagues, and the media industry in Nigeria over the passing of the veteran and accomplished journalist. I pray that God will grant Dan Agbese eternal rest and those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
