President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of veteran journalist and Newswatch Magazine co-founder, Yakubu Mohammed, who died on Monday night. In a heartfelt condolence message, the President celebrated the life of a man he described as a personal friend and a pillar of Nigerian journalism.
A Life Devoted to Truth and Nation-Building
President Tinubu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, extended his sympathy to the Mohammed family, the government and people of Kogi State, and the entire Nigerian media community. He portrayed the late journalist as a courageous professional whose entire career was a devotion to truth, public service, and the critical work of nation-building.
Yakubu Mohammed's journalism career spanned more than five decades, a period marked by what the President called uncommon bravery and professional integrity. Tinubu noted that Mohammed often placed his life on the line to speak truth to power, especially during Nigeria's era of military rule.
The Newswatch Legacy and Beyond
Mohammed's most notable contribution was co-founding the iconic Newswatch Magazine in 1984 alongside fellow legends Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, and Ray Ekpu. The publication defined an era of fearless investigative journalism in the country.
President Tinubu specifically recalled Mohammed's steadfast commitment to sustaining the Newswatch vision following the tragic assassination of Dele Giwa in 1986. That period, the President stated, tested the resolve and courage of the magazine's leadership, and Mohammed stood firm.
Beyond the newsroom, Yakubu Mohammed served as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University. His distinguished career also included key editorial roles: he was Associate Editor of New Nigerian Newspapers from 1976 to 1980, and later served as Deputy Editor and Editor of the National Concord between 1980 and 1984.
Final Reflections and an Enduring Challenge
The President also highlighted Mohammed's recent memoir, Beyond Expectations, published in November 2025. He observed that the book offered profound reflections on leadership in Nigeria and underscored the enduring responsibility of journalists in shaping the national conscience.
In his final remarks, President Tinubu prayed to God to grant the departed soul eternal rest and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus. He issued a challenge to the contemporary media profession, urging journalists to uphold the values of courage, patriotism, and excellence that defined Yakubu Mohammed's life and monumental work.
