LAGOS AUGUST 27TH (NEWSRANGERS)-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expresses deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr Dotun Oladipo, former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper and Publisher of The Eagle Online, describing his death as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation at large.
President Tinubu acknowledges the deceased’s contributions to journalism, particularly his years of dedicated service in political reporting and his commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through both traditional and digital media platforms.
The President says Oladipo’s professional career reflected the important role journalists play in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust public discourse.
He recalls the deceased’s passion for his profession and his contributions to the growth of digital journalism through The Eagle Online, which he founded after his remarkable career at Punch Newspaper.
“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.
“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,” President Tinubu notes.
In a similar development, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed grief over the passing of the Publisher of The Eagle Online, Mr. Dotun Oladipo. He described Oladipo’s death as shocking, painful, and heartbreaking.
Sanwo-Olu extended his condolences to his immediate and extended families, the management and staff of Premium Eagle Media Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online, following the sudden death of the organisation’s Managing Editor and Chief Executive Officer.
He also sent a message of condolence to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) on the loss of Dotun Oladipo, whom he described as a cerebral and prolific writer.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, noted that although the death of Oladipo, the immediate past President of GOCOP, was a rude shock to his family, friends, colleagues, and associates, they should accept it as the will of God.
He stated: “The death of one of Nigeria’s prolific journalists, writers and media entrepreneurs, Mr. Dotun Oladipo, is a significant loss to the media industry and Nigeria, as well as his family and friends. He will be sorely missed. He made numerous positive impacts in his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism, especially with his pioneering work in online journalism in Nigeria.
“Dotun’s sudden death is shocking and painful, but we should find solace in the modest achievements of the late Publisher. Death is inevitable, as we all will die. Our purpose in life is not to live forever, but to create something that will outlive us, bearing in mind that it is not the length of life that matters, but the depth of life.
“Dotun Oladipo led an exemplary life. He was a dutiful husband and a good father to his children. Most importantly, he touched countless lives through his profession as a journalist, rising to become Publisher, Managing Editor, and Chief Executive Officer of a media organisation.
“I have met Dotun personally during some of my media interactions with journalists. He was brilliant, calm and always presented his case in a very interesting and professional manner. I remember his presentation of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers’ case about three years ago. You can’t but listen to him.”
“On behalf of my family and the Lagos State Government, I extend my sympathies to the Oladipo family and the media industry over the loss of this veteran and accomplished journalist. I also offer my condolences to his friends, colleagues, and journalists across Nigeria. May God grant them the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
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