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Forty years after a parcel bomb killed the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, Dele Giwa, the Newswatch family will mark the anniversary with the presentation of a book celebrating his journalism, while his assassination remains unresolved.
The book, Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism, edited by Ray Ekpu, will be presented on October 19, 2026, at the Kessington Adebutu Auditorium, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, at noon.
Founder and publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka, will chair the event organised by Newswatch Plus Limited and the Newswatch family.
In a statement announcing the presentation, Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Plus, Soji Akinrinade, said the book brings together Giwa’s works and writings from Daily Times, Sunday Concord and Newswatch, alongside tributes from eminent journalists, particularly his peers and friends.
“The book presentation gives the Dele Giwa media family an opportunity to remember the murdered journalism icon, showcasing his works and writings from Daily Times, Sunday Concord and Newswatch magazine,” he said.
Giwa was killed by a parcel bomb at his home on Talabi Street, Ikeja, Lagos, on October 19, 1986.
His death cut short his leadership of Newswatch, which began publication in early 1985 following its establishment by Giwa, Ekpu, Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agbese. Giwa was Editor-in-Chief, with Ekpu as his deputy.
“From the magazine’s inception and under Giwa’s editorship, it breathed a new life into investigative journalism in Nigeria,” Akinrinade stated.
The anniversary also comes as the Newswatch family mourns Agbese and Mohammed, who died in November 2025 and January 2026, respectively, leaving Ekpu as the sole surviving member of the founding quartet.
“Newswatch family mourns the departed journalism icons but remembers Dele Giwa with the presentation of Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism on the anniversary of his death on October 19, 2026,” Akinrinade said.
