President Bola Tinubu extends condolences to the family of Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, a veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, who died on Monday night.
Mohammed, alongside late Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, and Ray Ekpu, founded Newswatch Magazine in 1984, inspiring the era of fearless investigative journalism in Nigeria during the military era.
President Tinubu commiserates with the government and people of Kogi State, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association, and other media institutions, public and private, where the late Mohammed had provided leadership.
The President affirms that Mohammed’s career in journalism, spanning over 50 years, was devoted to nation-building, with the journalist placing his life on the line to tell the truth to power.
President Tinubu notes the dedication of Mohammed, whom he called a personal friend, and his colleagues in sustaining the visionary legacy of Newswatch Magazine after the assassination of Dele Giwa in 1986, further confirming their resolve and courage in pushing the boundaries of investigative journalism in Nigeria.
The President believes Mohammed’s publication of his memoirs, “Beyond Expectations,” in November 2025, provided an opportunity for soul-searching and deep reflection on leadership in Nigeria and the role of journalists.
Yakubu Mohammed served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University. He was also Associate Editor of New Nigerian Newspapers (1976-1980), Deputy Editor and Editor of National Concord (1980-1984) before the founding of Newswatch.
The President prays that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.
SANWO-OLU
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the death of renowned journalist and one of the founders of Newswatch Magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, as a colossal loss to the media industry in Nigeria.
Yakubu Mohammed, a one-time pro-chancellor and chancellor of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, died on Tuesday at the age of 75. He was a well-celebrated journalist, author, columnist, and publisher.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the death of the renowned journalist is painful and heartbreaking. He said the rich experience and knowledge of Yakubu Mohammed will be sorely missed.
He said: “The death of former Managing Editor of Newswatch and ex-Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Newswatch Communications Limited, Yakubu Mohammed, is a great loss to journalism and the media industry in Nigeria, his family and friends. The journalism icon, who was a role model to many media practitioners in Nigeria, would be greatly missed.
“Yakubu Mohammed was a bold, courageous and uncompromising journalist, editor, columnist and publisher who spent his lifetime to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria.
“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 noble profession and leaders in different sectors.
“On behalf of the people and government of Lagos State, I sympathise with Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, the Mohammed family and the people of Ologba in the Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State over the demise of the veteran journalist.
“I also commiserate with the deceased’s friends, colleagues, and the media industry in Nigeria over the passing of the accomplished journalist. I pray that God will grant Yakubu Mohammed eternal rest and those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
