President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of Dotun Oladipo, writer and publisher of The Eagle Online, characterizing his demise as a devastating loss for Nigeria’s media business and the country.
The president’s condolences were expressed in a statement released on Wednesday by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Oladipo, a former political editor of PUNCH Newspapers, died on Tuesday at the age of 56.
Tinubu praised Oladipo’s services to political journalism and digital media, highlighting his years of reporting and attempts to bring accurate information to Nigerians via traditional and online platforms.
The President stated that the late journalist’s career exemplified the media’s role in building democracy by keeping citizens informed, holding public authorities responsible, and offering forums for public discourse.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He also mentioned Oladipo’s commitment to the advancement of digital journalism through The Eagle Online, which he started during his time at PUNCH Newspapers.
Tinubu expressed his sympathies to Oladipo’s family, colleagues, and friends, particularly members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, where the deceased was president from 2017 to 2021.
“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.
