Gbenga Ilemobayo
The leadership and members of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) have expressed sadness over the passing of Yakubu Mohammed, a co-founder of Newswatch magazine and its former deputy chief executive officer, who died at the age of 75 after a brief illness.
In a statement on Wednesday through its General Secretary, Angela Emuwa, NPAN extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, his colleagues, friends, and the entire journalism community.
The statement read in part, “We mourn the loss of a stalwart of Nigerian journalism who dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth and the advancement of the profession. As one of the founding fathers of Newswatch, alongside the late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and the late Dan Agbese,Yakubu Mohammed was instrumental in birthing a new era of investigative journalism in Nigeria.
“In 1984, during an era defined by military oversight, he helped build a platform that gave a fearless voice to the Nigerian people and set a gold standard for editorial excellence. Yakubu Mohammed was an icon of investigative journalism, and his contributions to the Nigerian media landscape will be forever remembered.
“His memoir, ‘Beyond Expectations’, published earlier this year, is a testament to his remarkable journey and the struggles he faced in the course of his illustrious career. The book offers a glimpse into the history of Newswatch and the role he played in shaping the magazine’s direction. NPAN notes with sadness that Mohammed’s passing comes barely two months after the death of his long-time colleague and fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese.
“These losses mark a significant void in the Registered in Nigeria RC. 14198 NPAN Nigerian journalism community, and we pray that their legacies will continue to inspire future generations of journalists. On behalf of the entire NPAN membership, we extend our deepest condolences to the Mohammed family; the government and people of Kogi State; the surviving co-founder of Newswatch, Mr Ray Ekpu; Soji Akinrinade, a former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine; the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists. We pray for the repose of his soul and for the fortitude of his loved ones to bear this monumental loss.”
