President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has described the death of veteran journalist and Newswatch co-founder, Chief Dan Agbese, as a major loss to Nigeria’s journalism community and to all who value truth and courageous reporting.
In a condolence message issued by his media adviser, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said he received the news of Agbese’s passing with deep sadness, noting that the late editor was a media icon whose work consistently defended the public interest.
He said Agbese was part of a generation of journalists who defined an era and set high standards for ethical and fearless reporting in Nigeria. According to him, Agbese devoted his career to promoting truth, accountability, and press freedom, leaving behind writings that shaped national debate and strengthened the country’s democracy.
Akpabio extended his condolences to the Agbese family, his colleagues, and the wider media community, noting that his death leaves a void that will be felt across newsrooms nationwide. He also sympathised with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), saying the loss is shared by all who believe in the essential role of the press in nation-building.
He prayed for the repose of Agbese’s soul and for strength for his family and the media industry at large.
