Today, the body of late media Icon, Chief Dan Otsima Agbese, leaves Madonna Hospital, Makurdi, on a final homeward bound to Apa Agila in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, the land of his forebears, on a journey of no return.
The remains of Chief Agbese, one of the co-founders of Newswatch Magazine in 1984, would be committed to earth on Friday February 13, 2026, at his residence after a requiem Mass at St. Rose Venerini Catholic Church, Apa Agila.
Thereafter, as with mortals, he would soon be forgotten in the abyss of history as one of Nigeria’s greatest journalists of his generation, like his co-founder and boss, Dele Giwa, whose memories have been thrown into the waste basket immemorial. Except for the 29 October, 1986 parcel bomb that ripped his entrails.
However, it is heartwarming that Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia during the 50th year anniversary of the creation of the state, renamed the Benue State Printing and Publishing Corporation after the late media Icon, Chief Dan Otsima Agbese who passed away on November 17, 2025 at 81 years. The organisation is now named Dan Agbese Printing and Publishing Corporation (DAPPC). This is a very welcomed development to immortalise the media guru.
No doubt, journalists have an alluring place in the history of Nigeria as some formed part of the struggle of the country’s independence.
Often times, journalists are neglected in the scheme of things even as they form a critical part of society shaping and reshaping various discourse and putting things aright. So, I really salute this gesture of the Reverend Governor to Oga Agbese.
The likes of late Chief Lateef Jakande, a former Governor of Lagos from 1979 to 1983 often called “Baba Kekere” meaning “Small father” in reference to Chief Obafemi Awolowo was revered for his provision of low-cost housing amongst others during his administration. Chief Segun Osoba, a staunch journalist, was Governor of Ogun State from 1999 to 2007 serving two terms, is well respected in and outside politics.
Nde Jonathan Ishaku, former Editor and former General Manager of Nigerian Standard Newspapers and pioneer Editor of Sunday Champion has also paid his dues in the media and can still be of immense assistance to the Plateau State Government.
Hon. Rima Shawulu, a consummate journalist who was in the House of Representatives, represented Takum/Donga/Ussa Federal Constituency of Taraba State from 2015 to 2023. An author, he once worked for the BBC and other prominent Nigeria news outlets. I hail you for your contribution to the media. Chief Mahmud Jega, the Editor-in-Chief of 21st Century Chronicle, is a brainer of exceptional quality that I admire whenever he chairs editorial meeting when I was with the Daily Trust newspapers. He combines humour with depth.
Coasting home, surely, Benue State has a collage of brilliant journalists still trying to give honour to the profession. I acknowledge the resilience of Dr. Cletus Akwaya, who, having held various top editorial and political positions, needed to be encouraged to properly position Daily Asset Newspaper he established many years ago. My contemporary, Dr. Akwaya is weathering every storm to ensure Daily Asset succeeds with little support. Keep moving my dear brother, there is light at the end of the tunnel. That light might be “Yes Father”. No be so? Na so I see am.
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