By Ayomide Otitoju
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the passing of veteran journalist and Newswatch Magazine co-founder Yakubu Mohammed as a “colossal loss” to Nigeria’s media industry.
Yakubu Mohammed, who also served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University’s Governing Council, died on Tuesday at the age of 75. He was widely celebrated as a journalist, author, columnist, and publisher.
In a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the journalist’s experience and knowledge would be deeply missed.
“The death of former Managing Editor of Newswatch and ex-Deputy CEO of Newswatch Communications Limited, Yakubu Mohammed, is a great loss to journalism and the media industry in Nigeria, his family, and friends,” Sanwo-Olu said. “He was a bold, courageous, and uncompromising journalist who contributed meaningfully to the growth of journalism in Nigeria and served as a role model to many media practitioners.”
The governor highlighted Mohammed’s mentorship, noting that he provided platforms for journalists who have gone on to become leading voices in the profession and leaders in various sectors.
Sanwo-Olu extended his sympathies to Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, the Mohammed family, residents of Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area, and the wider Nigerian media community. “I pray that God grants Yakubu Mohammed eternal rest and strength to those he left behind to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
