Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has described the death of veteran journalist and columnist, Mr. Dan Agbese, as a colossal national loss, saying his passing has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.
In a condolence statement issued on Tuesday, the SGF said Agbese’s demise came at a critical moment in the nation’s democratic journey, noting that his “fatherly role and vast experience” would be deeply missed by both the media and the country at large.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, Akume hailed the late journalist as one of the pioneer trailblazers of Nigeria’s modern press, recalling his prominent role in challenging military rule and championing the restoration of democracy.
“His death is a monumental national loss. Dan Agbese was a fine gentleman to the core. He was a man of strong conviction with unimpeachable character and unwavering determination to achieve great goals against all odds. His penchant for justice, equity, and fairness set him apart from the rest,” the SGF said.
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He praised Agbese’s sharp prose, incisive commentary, and decades-long dedication to journalism, which he said helped shape modern investigative reporting and Nigeria’s socio-political discourse.
“The late Dan Agbese was a doyen of journalism and a merchant of biting satire. He was such a versatile, bold, and confident writer whose quill dripped brutal frankness. A mentor and father who professionally refined his mentees and turned them into masters of the pen craft,” Akume added.
The SGF urged the Agbese family, friends, and colleagues in the media industry to take solace in the exemplary life he lived, praying that God grant repose to his soul.