By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed grief over the death of the Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing as shocking, painful and heartbreaking.
Sanwo-Olu extended his condolences to Oladipo’s immediate and extended families, as well as the management and staff of Premium Eagle Media Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online, following the sudden death of the media executive.
The governor also commiserated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) over the loss of Oladipo, whom he described as a cerebral and prolific journalist.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu said Oladipo’s death was a rude shock to his family, friends, colleagues and associates, urging them to find comfort in his achievements and accept the loss as the will of God.
The governor described Oladipo as a significant contributor to the growth of journalism in Nigeria, particularly online journalism, through his pioneering work and leadership in the media industry.
“The death of one of Nigeria’s prolific journalists, writers and media entrepreneurs, Mr. Dotun Oladipo, is a significant loss to the media industry and Nigeria, as well as his family and friends. He will be sorely missed,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said Oladipo made meaningful contributions to journalism during his lifetime and touched many lives through his professional career.
Sanwo-Olu also described the late journalist as an exemplary family man who was a devoted husband and father.
Recalling his personal interactions with Oladipo during media engagements, the governor described him as brilliant, calm and professional.
“I have met Dotun personally during some of my media interactions with journalists. He was brilliant, calm and always presented his case in a very interesting and professional manner,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu recalled Oladipo’s presentation of GOCOP’s position during a media engagement several years ago, saying his ability to communicate his arguments effectively made it difficult for listeners to ignore him.
The governor said Oladipo’s death represented an irreplaceable loss to the media industry, adding that his legacy would endure through his contributions to journalism and online publishing.
“On behalf of my family and the Lagos State Government, I extend my sympathies to the Oladipo family and the media industry over the loss of this veteran and accomplished journalist,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He also extended his condolences to Oladipo’s friends, colleagues and journalists across the country, praying that God would grant the bereaved the strength to bear the loss.
