The news of Dan Agbese’s passing shocked and reverberated across the newsrooms. With his passing, a voice of courage, style and satire and elegance for decades has gone silent. A veteran journalist, prolific author, and consummate man of letters, Dan Agbese was more than just a trailblazer in the media, he was a guardian of its soul.
From the moment he first set foot in a newsroom, criss-crossing the Nigeria Standard, New Nigerian, Newswatch, Dan Agbese understood that journalism was not merely a profession but a calling, a moral covenant to inform, educate, and empower.
His pen bled ink that illuminated the corners of society too often shrouded in darkness, and his words carried the weight of integrity at a time when the craft needed it most.
For years, he stood tall as an unflinching writer, editor and columnist and one of the founding members of the most prestigious and authoritative voice of his time, Newswatch; shaping opinions and inspiring generations of journalists with his fearless pursuit of truth and excellence.
Beyond his legendary career at Newswatch and other publications, Dan Agbese’s most profound legacy may lie in his stewardship of the Northern Media Forum, (NMF), which he chaired until his final days.
Under his leadership, the Forum became a beacon for courage in a diverse northern landscape. He believed deeply that a thriving media group in the North should not just guide leadership, but set an agenda for national cohesion and discourse; and he worked tirelessly to nurture the group for strategic and purposeful engagements.
His departure leaves a void that will be felt not only in the media landscape, but also in the hearts of countless journalists he mentored, those he inspired (and who also looked up to him), the friends he cherished and the communities he served.
In 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 spoken and (written) with depth, humility and conviction.
Dan Agbese’s legacy will endure in the pages of the publications he shaped, in the voices of the journalists he inspired, and in the enduring mission of the Northern Media Forum (NMF) which will continue to thrive as a testament to his vision.
May your soul rest in peace, Mr. Dan Agbese. Your words will echo forever.
Zainab Suleiman Okino
Assistant Secretary
For: Northern Media Forum (NMF)