Dan Agbese, one of the crucial influential editors of his era and a founding pressure behind Newswatch journal, has died on the age of 81. His household introduced his passing on Monday, describing him as a husband, father, grandfather, mentor and the Awan’Otun of Agila.
For greater than 5 a long time, Agbese formed journalism in Nigeria with a gradual hand and a transparent conscience. He edited among the nation’s largest newspapers, skilled a era of reporters, and helped construct Newswatch right into a powerhouse of investigative reporting. But associates and colleagues usually recall the identical factor: he by no means carried himself like a person of standing, regardless that he was born into royalty and rose to nationwide prominence.
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A life anchored in humility and scholarship
Born on Could 20, 1944 into Agila royalty, Agbese hardly ever spoke about his lineage. His life, colleagues say, was outlined not by titles however by self-discipline and scholarship. After graduating from Authorities Lecturers Coaching School, Keffi, he taught briefly earlier than returning to high school to pursue journalism critically.
He studied Mass Communication on the College of Lagos between 1970 and 1973, rising as a prize profitable scholar with a second class higher. In 1976 he attended the Thomson Basis in Cardiff and later earned a Masters in Journalism from Columbia College, New York. There, he distinguished himself as among the finest college students within the programme.
In an earlier interview with the defunct Verbatim journal, Agbese mirrored on his temporary want to depart journalism altogether whereas at Columbia. “I didn’t assume I used to be returning to journalism,” he stated. “I assumed I used to be going into e book publishing… I had hoped that if I returned, I’d arrange a e book publishing firm, however it didn’t work out that approach.”
A profession constructed on braveness, readability and verification
Agbese started his skilled profession on the New Nigerian in 1967, later changing into chief sub editor and assistant editor at The Nigerian Customary. He then served as normal supervisor of Radio Benue, particular adviser and director of knowledge in Benue State, and editor of the New Nigerian from 1982 to 1984.
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It was throughout this era that colleagues noticed the qualities that outlined him. Mohammed Haruna, a longtime good friend, stated Agbese by no means compromised information for comfort. He recalled how the editor refused to publish a cast doc in regards to the late Obafemi Awolowo regardless of political strain. “Dan demanded incontrovertible proof that the doc was real earlier than he would publish the story,” Haruna stated, including that when no proof got here, Agbese merely dropped the story, a choice later vindicated when the doc was uncovered as pretend.
Haruna additionally remembered how Agbese insisted on operating Chief M Ok O Abiola’s resignation from the NPN because the lead story in 1982. “It significantly aggravated the social gathering,” he stated, “however Dan believed accuracy and equity got here first.”
Constructing newswatch, a newsroom that raised the bar
In 1984, Agbese joined Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Yakubu Muhammed to discovered Newswatch, which hit the streets in January 1985. It was Nigeria’s first main weekly newsmagazine owned fully by practising journalists, and it shortly modified the panorama.
Newswatch was daring, literary and unafraid. It broke main tales, challenged army rulers and have become a benchmark for investigative journalism. Beneath Agbese, who rose from managing editor to editor in chief, the journal grew to become an expert coaching college in itself.
Eze Anaba, president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, described him as “one of many best journalists Nigeria has ever produced,” including: “He was a type of whose works saved Nigeria collectively. It’s unhappy that he handed on at a time Nigeria wants him most. He will likely be missed.”
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A instructor of writers, a author of readability
Past the newsroom, Agbese was a prolific creator and a extensively learn columnist for Each day Belief and The Guardian. His prose was clear, unadorned and quietly forceful.
Former Newswatch affiliate editor Akintunde recalled how rigorous Agbese was with copy: “It was a fantastic privilege having one’s copy undergo his probing,” he stated.
Agbese wrote six influential books, together with The Reporter’s Companion, The Columnist’s Companion and Fashion: A Information to Good Writing, works now extensively thought to be important studying for journalism college students.
With longtime colleagues, he co-founded May5Media, which revealed collections of their columns and a biography of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
A legacy constructed on precept
For a lot of, Agbese represented the gold commonplace of Nigerian journalism, a person who insisted that information should be verified, language should be clear and the general public curiosity should come earlier than political comfort.
His work, his colleagues say, spoke louder than his voice ever did.
He’s survived by his spouse, Rose, six kids and 7 grandchildren. The household says burial preparations will likely be introduced in the end.
Agbese leaves behind not only a physique of labor however a philosophy, journalism performed with integrity, humility and unwavering dedication to fact.
