The passing of Chief Dan Agbese, a seasoned journalist and co-founder of Newswatch, has been characterized by Senate President Godswill Akpabio as a significant setback to the country's media landscape and democratic progress. In a condolence letter sent on Tuesday in Abuja by his Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President made this statement.
His homage followed the Agbese family's confirmation on Monday that the renowned editor and writer had passed away in Benue State at the age of 81.
The late Agbese was "a monumental loss to Nigeria's journalism family and to all who value truth, integrity, and courageous storytelling," according to Akpabio.
He said that the previous editor of The Nigeria Standard and The New Nigerian was a member of a generation of journalists who established professional standards that influenced media practice for many years.
"I deeply mourn the loss of Chief Dan Agbese — a distinguished journalist who devoted his life to the pursuit of truth, accountability, and press freedom," the statement said in part.
"His writings illuminated the path of democracy, questioned authority, and shaped national conscience." Future generations of journalists will be motivated by his legacy.
Akpabio also sent condolences to the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the Agbese family.
One of the most important editors in Nigeria, Agbese, co-founded Newswatch magazine in 1984 with Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed.
The publication established new standards for accountability reporting and represented a turning point in investigative journalism.
He was the publication's Editor-in-Chief until April 2010, having previously held the positions of Managing Editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief.
Later, he co-managed a media consultancy with Ekpu, Mohammed, and Soji Akinrinade while penning highly read opinion pieces for Daily Trust and The Guardian.
His wife, Chief Rose Agbese, six children, and seven grandkids survive him.