By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of veteran journalist and Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation.
Oladipo, who was 56, was a former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s journalism and digital media space.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commiserated with Oladipo’s family, colleagues and friends over his death.
The President acknowledged Oladipo’s contributions to journalism, particularly his years of service in political reporting and his commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through traditional and digital media platforms.
Tinubu said the journalist’s career demonstrated the important role of the media in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust public discourse.
He also recalled Oladipo’s passion for journalism and his contribution to the growth of digital journalism through The Eagle Online, which he founded after his 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,” Tinubu said.
The President added that Oladipo’s contributions to political journalism and the digital media space would not be forgotten.
“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,” he said.
Oladipo was a former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), where he served from 2017 to 2021, and remained an influential voice in Nigeria’s online publishing industry.
The President prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family and loved ones the strength to bear his loss.