Yakubu Mohammed: Tinubu, NGE, Kogi Governor mourn media veteran and Newswatch co-founder

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State, and others pay glowing tributes to late Yakubu Mohammed, media veteran and Co-founder of Newswatch, stating Mohammed’s journalism career was marked by uncommon bravery and integrity, placing his life on the line to speak truth to power

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, among several other top Nigerians, has paid glowing tribute to Mr. Yakubu Mohammed, a media veteran and Co-founder of the defunct Newswatch Magazine.

ConsumerConnect reports Mohammed passed on at 75 years of age after a prolonged illness.

Tinubu, in a condolence message Wednesday, January 13, 2026, expressed sympathy to the deceased’s family, the Government and people of Kogi State, and the Nigerian media community.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement Wednesday, noted President Tinubu described the late media veteran as a courageous professional whose life was devoted to truth, public service, and nation-building.

The Nigerian leader stated that Mohammed’s journalism career, which spanned over five decades, was marked by uncommon bravery and professional integrity, with the journalist often placing his life on the line to speak truth to power.

Describing the deceased as a personal friend, Tinubu recalled his steadfast commitment to sustaining the Newswatch vision, even after the assassination of Mr. Dele Giwa in 1986, a period that tested the resolve and courage of the leadership of the news magazine.

The President further observed that Mohammed’s memoir, “Beyond Expectations”, which the late journalist published and unveiled November 2025, offered profound reflections on leadership in Nigeria and the enduring responsibility of media professionals in shaping national conscience.

Tinubu prayed God to grant the departed admission him into Jannatul Firdaus.

He equally urged Nigerian media professionals to uphold values of courage, patriotism, and excellence that defined Yakubu Mohammed’s life and work while alive.

On deceased’s ‘Beyond Expectations’

It is noted that Mohammed’s death came less than two months after the passing of Chief Dan Agbese, another Newswatch Co-founder, who died November 17 last year.

Incidentally, late Mohammed presented his memoir “Beyond Expectations”, November 4.

Mohammed co-founded Newswatch 1984 alongside the late Giwa, Dan Agbese, and Ray Ekpu, who all helped to define an era of fearless investigative journalism at a time of military rule in Nigeria.

NGE: Mohammed, an iconic, fearless media professional

In its tribute on late Mohammed, the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Wednesday, January 13 expressed sadness over the passing of two distinguished and outstanding journalists, Messrs Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agbese.

Mr. Eze Anaba, President, and Onuoha Ukeh, General Secretary, said: “By the death of Mohammed and Agbese, who were among the three surviving co-founders of Newswatch Magazine, Nigerian journalism has lost great and irreplaceable treasures.

The NGE said: “Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agbese, both seasoned journalists and members of the NGE, were respected voices in Nigerian media and Nigeria as a whole.

“Their incisive commentaries and commitment to press freedom and democratic values, inspired many.”

The statement also noted: “These iconic journalists were fearless, professional, and brought prestige to journalism by their works.

“They gave investigative journalism in Nigeria impetus and contributed immensely to nation-building.”

The NGE said: “As a mark of respect for Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agbese, we urged all journalists to set aside one day to rededicate themselves and reflect on the salient points of journalism, with eyes on the cardinal points of good journalism, which are truth, accuracy, fairness, objectivity, independence, integrity, ethical standards, transparency, and accountability.”

Mohammed’s era redefined courage, professionalism and integrity in journalism, says Governor 

Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has expressed condolences to the immediate family of late Yakubu Mohammed and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), over the passing of the elder statesman and Co-founder of Newswatch Magazine.

Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Wednesday stated Ododo said the late veteran journalist was not only a pioneer of modern investigative journalism in Nigeria, but also a proud son of Kogi State from Dekina Local Government Area of the state.

He described the deceased’s contributions to nation-building as transcending the media space.

The governor stated: “As a co-founder of the iconic Newswatch magazine, Mohammed belonged to a rare generation of journalists, who redefined courage, professionalism and integrity in Nigerian journalism, and a man whose influence shaped public discourse and strengthened accountability in a democracy.”

Ododo also said Mohammed’s role in the establishment of Newswatch in the mid-1980s, alongside late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and late Dan Agbese, marked a turning point in Nigeria’s media history.

According to him, the era set enduring standards for investigative reporting and editorial independence in the news media ecosystem.

The Kogi State Governor further acknowledged the deceased’s distinguished record of public service, including his tenure as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, as well as his invaluable contributions to the development of Kogi, the “the Confluence State”.

He also averred: “His love for Kogi State was evident in his commitment to its growth and his willingness to serve in different capacities.

“He was a bridge-builder, mentor to many, and voice of conscience in national affairs.”

Governor Ododo as well prayed that Almighty Allah comforts the family, and others who mourn his loss.

Life and times of late Mohammed

Late Mohammed, who held a Bachelor’s degree in Science, was born April 4, 1950.

The veteran journalist hailed from Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

He had served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in Kaduna State.

He attended St Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba, in 1964; Government Secondary School, Okene, between 1965 and 1969; the University of Lagos (UNILAG) from 1972 to 1975; and Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland between 1978 and 1979.

His professional journey included stints as Associate Editor of New Nigerian Newspapers (1976-1980) and Managing Editor of the same organisation in 1980, and Deputy Editor at National Concord between 1980 and 1982.

Mohammed later served as Editor of National Concord from 1982 to 1984 before becoming Co-founder and Executive Editor of Newswatch between 1984 and 1986.

He was Managing Editor of Newswatch from 1986 to 1994, and subsequently, served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Newswatch Communications Limited from 1994.

Mohammed was also a Director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited.

He was a member of the NUJ, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association (CJA), and the Nigeria Guild of Editors.

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