*The Northern Media Forum mourns the passing of Chief Dan Agbese, a veteran journalist and Co-founder of Newswatch, describing his death as 鈥榓 monumental loss鈥� to Nigerian journalism and the finest traditions of style, satire and elegance

Emmanuel Akosile | 绿帽献妻

The Northern Media Forum (NMF) has mourned the passing of Chief Dan Agbese, a veteran journalist and Co-founder of Newswatch.

The NMF described Agbese鈥檚 death as a monumental loss to Nigerian journalism and the finest traditions of style, satire and elegance.

Zainab Suleiman Okino, Assistant Secretary of the Forum in a statement noted the Northern Media Forum said the news of Agbese鈥檚 death sent shockwaves across newsrooms nationwide, silencing a voice that stood for courage, refinement and integrity for decades.

The statement also noted that late Agbese was more than a trailblazer.

He was 鈥渁 guardian of the media鈥檚 soul.鈥�

It stated that from his early days at the Nigeria Standard and New Nigerian to his iconic years at Newswatch, his works exemplified journalism as a calling 鈥� 鈥渁 moral covenant to inform, educate, and empower.鈥�

The Forum as well noted that Agbese鈥檚 pen 鈥渂led ink that illuminated corners of society too often shrouded in darkness.鈥�

His words always carried the weight of conviction at a time the profession needed it most, the Forum recalled.

The statement also reads: 鈥淔or years, he stood tall as an unflinching writer, editor and columnist, shaping opinions and inspiring generations of journalists with his fearless pursuit of truth and excellence.鈥�

Beyond his celebrated newsroom exploits, the NMF said Agbese鈥檚 most enduring imprint was his leadership of the Northern Media Forum, which he chaired until his death.

Under his guidance, the NMF became a platform for courageous journalism in the North and a vehicle for national discourse, cohesion and agenda-setting.

The Forum further said: 鈥淗e believed deeply that a vibrant media community in the North should not only guide leadership, but also shape conversations that unite the country.

鈥淗e worked tirelessly to nurture the Forum into a hub for strategic and purposeful engagement.鈥�

The statement described his passing as an irreplaceable loss 鈥� not only to the media landscape but to the hearts of the countless journalists he mentored, colleagues who admired him, and communities he served with humility and wisdom.

The NMF stated: 鈥淚n his passing, the North has lost a passionate advocate, Nigerian media has lost an icon of style and substance, and all who knew him have lost a gentle soul who taught us the power of words written and spoken with depth and conviction.鈥� It added that Agbese鈥檚 legacy would endure in the pages he shaped, the journalists he inspired, and in the mission of the Northern Media Forum, which will continue to reflect his vision.

鈥淢ay your soul rest in peace, Mr. Dan Agbese. Your words will echo forever,鈥� the statement added.

Kindly Share This Story