PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS YAKUBU MOHAMMED, VETERAN JOURNALIST, CO-FOUNDER OF NEWSWATCH

President Bola Tinubu extends condolences to the family of Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, a veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, who died on Monday night.

Mohammed, alongside late Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, and Ray Ekpu, founded Newswatch Magazine in 1984, inspiring the era of fearless investigative journalism in Nigeria during the military era.

President Tinubu commiserates with the government and people of Kogi State, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association, and other media institutions, public and private, where the late Mohammed had provided leadership.

The President affirms that Mohammed’s career in journalism, spanning over 50 years, was devoted to nation-building, with the journalist placing his life on the line to tell the truth to power.

President Tinubu notes the dedication of Mohammed, whom he called a personal friend, and his colleagues in sustaining the visionary legacy of Newswatch Magazine after the assassination of Dele Giwa in 1986, further confirming their resolve and courage in pushing the boundaries of investigative journalism in Nigeria.

The President believes Mohammed’s publication of his memoirs, “Beyond Expectations,” in November 2025, provided an opportunity for soul-searching and deep reflection on leadership in Nigeria and the role of journalists.

Yakubu Mohammed served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University. He was also Associate Editor of New Nigerian Newspapers (1976-1980), Deputy Editor and Editor of National Concord (1980-1984) before the founding of Newswatch.

The President prays that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

January 14, 2026