President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the sudden death of veteran journalist and Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing at the age of 56 as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation.
The President, in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Oladipo devoted significant years of his life to informing Nigerians and contributing to the development of the country’s democracy.
Oladipo, a former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper, later founded The Eagle Online, where he contributed to the growth of digital journalism in Nigeria.
Tinubu acknowledged the late journalist’s contributions to the profession, particularly his years of dedicated service in political reporting and commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through traditional and digital media platforms.
According to the President, Oladipo’s professional career underscored the important role journalists play in strengthening democracy through informing citizens, holding public officials accountable, and providing platforms for robust public discourse.
He also recalled the deceased’s passion for journalism and his contributions to expanding the digital media space through The Eagle Online, which he established after a remarkable career at The Punch.
‘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’, Tinubu said.