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• President hails contribution to democracy, digital journalism, IPI, GOCOP, NUJ pay tribute
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and other leading media organisations have mourned the sudden death of veteran journalist and Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing at 56 as a major loss to Nigerian journalism.
Oladipo, a former Politics Editor of Punch and former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), died on Tuesday after suddenly taking ill.
His death triggered an outpouring of condolences on Wednesday from government officials, journalists, professional bodies, friends and associates, with many paying tribute to his professionalism and contribution to the growth of digital journalism in Nigeria.
Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Oladipo’s death as a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and the country.
The President said Oladipo’s professional career demonstrated the important role of journalism in strengthening democracy by keeping citizens informed, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust 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.
The President also paid tribute to Oladipo’s contributions to political journalism and digital publishing through The Eagle Online, which he established after years in traditional newspaper journalism.
“His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten,” he said.
Tinubu extended his condolences to Oladipo’s family, colleagues in GOCOP and friends, praying that God would grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
Sanwo-Olu also described Oladipo’s sudden death as shocking, painful and heartbreaking.
Lagos governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, condoled with the deceased’s immediate and extended families as well as the management and staff of Premium Eagle Media Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online.
He also commiserated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NGE and GOCOP, where Oladipo had served as president.
The NGE, in its tribute signed by its President, Eze Anaba and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, described Oladipo as a “gentleman and great journalist” whose career was defined by professionalism, courage, intellectual depth and commitment to journalism and nation-building.
“The Nigerian Guild of Editors received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Dr. Samson Dotun Oladipo, a gentleman, distinguished journalist, former newspaper editor, and publisher of Eagles Online,” the guild said.
According to the NGE, Oladipo distinguished himself during a career spanning several decades, leaving an enduring mark on journalism and the wider media industry.
The guild particularly recalled his commitment to the development of Nigeria’s digital media landscape and his contributions as a member of the professional body.
“He was a committed member of the NGE, whose contributions added impetus to the growth of the elite media professional body.
His membership of NGE reflected his strong belief in professional solidarity and the importance of promoting ethical, credible and responsible journalism,” it said.
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The editors said Oladipo was more than a media practitioner, describing him as a respected colleague and mentor who contributed to the continuing evolution of Nigerian journalism.
“His death is a great loss to his family, colleagues, the journalism profession and the wider media community. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, professional excellence, courage and service that will continue to inspire those who knew and worked with him.”
NGE extended condolences to his immediate family, colleagues, friends and associates and prayed for strength for the family and eternal rest for the deceased.
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria similarly described Oladipo as an accomplished journalist, publisher, entrepreneur and committed advocate of press freedom.
IPI Nigeria, in a statement by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, expressed deep sadness over his death, paying tribute to his contributions to journalism and defence of press freedom.
GOCOP, where Oladipo served as president from 2017 to 2021, said it was saddened by the death of one of the publishers who helped shape the organisation during its formative years.
The guild said Oladipo moved into online publishing with considerable experience from the traditional media and deployed that professional background in developing The Eagle Online.
GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, said the late publisher devoted considerable time to the growth of the guild, describing his death as a painful loss to the organisation and the media industry.
The NUJ FCT Council also described Oladipo’s death as a huge loss to the Nigerian media community.
Beyond the official statements, tributes poured in across social media as journalists, colleagues, friends and other Nigerians expressed shock at his sudden death and recalled their encounters with him.
Human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, described Oladipo as a “complete gentleman, accomplished digital journalist and remarkable human being,” while extending condolences to his family, friends and Nigeria’s digital journalism community.
Oladipo’s death was announced by The Eagle Online early Wednesday. The publication said he had been in his usual state of health earlier on Tuesday before suddenly taking ill.
His journalism career spanned nearly three decades, taking him through some of the country’s traditional newsrooms before he became one of the practitioners at the forefront of the transition to digital publishing.
He worked at Nigerian Tribune, Punch, Nigerian Compass and The Sun, and rose to become Politics Editor at Punch before establishing The Eagle Online.
Oladipo subsequently became an influential figure in the development of professional online publishing in Nigeria and served as GOCOP President between 2017 and 2021.
He obtained a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the then Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, in 1992.
His death has left the media community mourning a journalist whose career traversed traditional newspaper journalism and the emergence of digital publishing in Nigeria.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.
