President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have mourned the sudden death of veteran journalist and publisher of The Eagle Online, Mr. Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation.
Oladipo, a former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper and immediate past President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), died at the age of 56.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed deep sadness over Oladipo’s death and acknowledged his immense contributions to journalism.
The President said the deceased dedicated many years to political reporting and remained committed to providing Nigerians with credible information through both traditional and digital media platforms.
Tinubu said Oladipo’s professional career reflected the important role journalists play in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust public discourse.
He also recalled the late journalist’s passion for his profession and his contributions to the growth of digital journalism through The Eagle Online, which he founded after a remarkable career at The Punch.
“Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation. He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy.
“His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues in GOCOP and friends. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” the President said.
Similarly, Governor Sanwo-Olu described Oladipo’s death as shocking, painful and heartbreaking.
The governor extended his condolences to the deceased’s immediate and extended families, as well as the management and staff of Premium Eagle Media Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online, where Oladipo served as Managing Editor and Chief Executive Officer.
Sanwo-Olu also commiserated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), GOCOP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), describing the late journalist as a cerebral and prolific writer.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor said the death of the immediate past GOCOP President came as a rude shock to his family, friends, colleagues and associates.
He, however, urged them to accept the incident as the will of God.
“The death of one of Nigeria’s prolific journalists, writers and media entrepreneurs, Mr. Dotun Oladipo, is a significant loss to the media industry and Nigeria, as well as his family and friends. He will be sorely missed,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“He made numerous positive impacts in his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism, especially with his pioneering work in online journalism in Nigeria.”
The governor said that although Oladipo’s sudden death was painful, there was consolation in the modest achievements and enduring legacy he left behind.
“Dotun Oladipo led an exemplary life. He was a dutiful husband and a good father to his children. Most importantly, he touched countless lives through his profession as a journalist, rising to become Publisher, Managing Editor and Chief Executive Officer of a media organisation,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu recalled his personal encounters with the late journalist during some of his interactions with members of the media, describing him as brilliant, calm and highly professional.
“I remember his presentation of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers’ case about three years ago. You can’t but listen to him,” the governor added.
On behalf of his family and the Lagos State Government, Sanwo-Olu extended his sympathies to the Oladipo family, the media industry, Oladipo’s friends and colleagues, as well as journalists across Nigeria.
He prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss.
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