President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, has described the death of veteran journalist and Newswatch co-founder, Chief Dan Agbese, as a monumental loss to Nigeria’s media community and to all who uphold truth and integrity in journalism.
In a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said the nation has lost “a media icon whose pen never wavered in defence of the public interest.”
He noted that Agbese belonged to a generation of trailblazing journalists who defined an era and set the benchmark for ethical, fearless, and professional journalism in Nigeria.
“On behalf of the National Assembly, my family, and the good people I represent, 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,” Akpabio said.
“His writings shaped national conscience, challenged power, and illuminated the path of democracy. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of journalists yet unborn.”
The Senate President extended his condolences to the Agbese family, his associates, and the wider media community, stating that his passing leaves a void across newsrooms and editorial boards nationwide.
Akpabio also commiserated with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), described the development as a shared loss for all who believe in journalism’s central role in nation-building.
He prayed for the repose of Agbese’s soul and for God to grant his family and the Nigerian media fraternity the fortitude to bear the loss.
