By Our Reporter
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has mourned the death of former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing as a great loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation.
Oladipo, a former Politics Editor of The PUNCH newspaper, died at the age of 56 on Tuesday, shortly after arriving at his office.
He was reportedly taken ill and collapsed in his car while being rushed to the hospital, with efforts to revive him proving unsuccessful.
Until his death, Oladipo was the publisher of The Eagle Online and a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the International Press Institute (IPI).
In a statement issued by the NRC, Opeifa said Oladipo’s contributions to journalism, particularly in political reporting and the development of Nigeria’s digital media space, would not be forgotten.
The NRC Managing Director said the late journalist played an important role in efforts to promote professionalism and sanitise Nigeria’s online media environment through the establishment and activities of GOCOP.
According to him, Oladipo was committed to repositioning the digital media space and protecting it from the activities of charlatans and individuals of questionable character.
Opeifa described the deceased’s professional career as a reflection of the critical role journalists play in informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing a robust platform for public discourse.
He also recalled Oladipo’s passion for journalism and his contributions to the growth of digital media in Nigeria, describing him as a critical thought leader and game changer in the industry.
“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 believer in Nigeria’s democracy and through his public discourse, you could see him as a patriot who loved and was willing to protect public causes,” Opeifa said.
He extended his condolences to Oladipo’s wife, children, family members, friends, fitness associates and colleagues, describing the death as an irreparable loss.
Opeifa prayed that God would grant the late media practitioner eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
“His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will certainly not be forgotten,” the NRC Managing Director added.
The statement was signed by the NRC Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu.