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Tinubu Mourns Veteran Journalist Dotun Oladipo at 56

Published

2 months ago

August 26, 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu describes the death of The Eagle Online publisher as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media and democratic discourse

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sadness over the death of veteran journalist and Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, who died in Lagos on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 56.

Also read: Obasa Mourns Nollywood Legend Taiwo Hassan at 66

In a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Oladipo’s death as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the wider nation.

Oladipo, a former Politics Editor of PUNCH Newspapers, had spent nearly three decades in journalism, working across traditional and digital media before establishing The Eagle Online. He also served as president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers from 2017 to 2021. (Punch Newspapers)

Tinubu said Oladipo’s career reflected the important role of journalism in a democracy, particularly through informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing space for public debate.

“Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation,” Tinubu said.

“He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy.”

The President also praised Oladipo’s contribution to the growth of digital journalism through The Eagle Online, which he founded after his years in the traditional newsroom.

“He was passionate about journalism and contributed immensely to the development of digital media through The Eagle Online,” Tinubu said, adding that Oladipo’s contributions to political journalism and the digital media space “will not be forgotten”.

Oladipo’s death was announced by The Eagle Online after he reportedly became suddenly ill at his office in Lagos on Tuesday. The publication described his death as a shock to colleagues, friends and associates. (Punch Newspapers)

His passing has since prompted an outpouring of grief across the Nigerian media community.

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers said Oladipo helped shape the organisation during its formative years and devoted considerable time to strengthening the professional community of online publishers. (Punch Newspapers)

GOCOP President Danlami Nmodu described the loss as painful, recalling Oladipo’s understanding of both journalism and the business of publishing.

“Dotun played an important role in the development of GOCOP,” Nmodu said. “His contribution will always be remembered.” (Punch Newspapers)

Before establishing The Eagle Online, Oladipo worked with several Nigerian media organisations, including Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Compass, The Sun and PUNCH Newspapers, where he served as Politics Editor and was also a member of the editorial board. (Punch Newspapers)

His transition from traditional journalism into online publishing coincided with the rapid expansion of digital news platforms in Nigeria.

Through The Eagle Online, Oladipo became an important voice in that transformation, combining his newsroom experience with the immediacy of digital reporting.

His professional journey also extended beyond journalism. Oladipo was the founding president of the Innovative Media Partners Cooperative Multipurpose Society and was serving in that capacity before his death. (Qed.ng)

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, also mourned the journalist, describing his death as a significant loss to the profession and praising his dedication to the growth of journalism, particularly digital media. (The Eagle Online)

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu similarly described the death as “shocking, painful, and heartbreaking”, extending condolences to Oladipo’s family, colleagues and professional bodies. (The Eagle Online)

For President Tinubu, the loss is not only that of an experienced journalist but also of a practitioner who contributed to the evolving relationship between the media, technology and democratic participation.

Tinubu extended his condolences to Oladipo’s family, colleagues at The Eagle Online, members of GOCOP and his friends, while praying for strength for those mourning his death.

At 56, Oladipo leaves behind a powerful professional legacy spanning traditional newspaper journalism, political reporting and Nigeria’s increasingly influential digital media landscape.

Also read: Nigeria Mourns Deadly China Landslide, Offers Condolences

His death has left colleagues mourning a journalist who witnessed and participated in a significant transformation of Nigeria’s media industry, from the conventional newsroom to the fast-moving world of online publishing.

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Probe Into Fake Federal Agencies Not Over, ICPC Insists

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said its investigation into the alleged operation of fake federal agencies within the Federal Government is still ongoing, despite the reinstatement of two permanent secretaries suspended over the matter.

The commission maintained that it stood by its earlier findings that other purported fake agencies had been discovered during its investigations, adding that further action would be announced when the process was concluded.

ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, disclosed this while responding to an enquiry on the status of the investigation in Abuja.

He said the commission was still examining the allegations and had yet to decide whether the findings would result in further court action.

“The ICPC stands by what it said about finding out in the course of our investigations that there were some other fake agencies. Investigations are ongoing.

“As usual, when the ICPC is ready to either go to court or not to go to court, we would let you know. But for now, investigations are ongoing. Let it be on record that the ICPC stands by what it said before,” Odey said.

The commission had on August 21, 2026, announced the discovery of a purported fake federal agency operating under the name National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office.

The ICPC alleged that the organisation was promoted by George Buchi Nwabueze, with the suspected involvement of senior public servants in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

Following the disclosure, President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s arrest and the suspension of three permanent secretaries: Mohammed Danjuma, Nandungu Gagare and Richard Pheelangwa.

The discovery emerged during the commission’s wider investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which was allegedly operated by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.

The ICPC had earlier reported that its investigation into the PFIPC uncovered two other purported organisations allegedly linked to Adeyemi: the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.

According to the commission, the investigation found that the PFIPC was not established by any law, executive order or other valid government instrument. It also alleged that documents presented to support the organisation’s existence, including an appointment letter, were forged.

The commission further said there was no evidence that Federal Government funds had been approved or disbursed to the purported council.

However, Nwabueze denied the allegation that the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office was fake, insisting that the project office had existed within the OSGF since July 16, 2010.

He questioned why an initiative that had allegedly been operating for 16 years was suddenly being described as fictitious.

Meanwhile, two of the three permanent secretaries suspended following the discovery have since been reinstated.

Mohammed Danjuma, Permanent Secretary, Finance (Special Duties), was reinstated following presidential approval conveyed in a letter dated October 22, 2026, by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Abel. His reinstatement took effect on October 21.

Similarly, Richard Pheelangwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, resumed duty on November 3 after the Federal Government lifted his suspension.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, formally welcomed Pheelangwa back to the ministry, according to a statement by the minister’s media adviser, Leah Katung-Babatunde.

The reinstatements have, however, not brought the ICPC investigation to an end, as the commission says it is continuing efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged operations of the purported agencies and identify anyone who may have facilitated them.