Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed was born on April 4, 1950 in Place of Origin: Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State, Niger and died January 14, 2026 (died after a brief illness).
He attended St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba (1964) and his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Okene (1965–1969). Furthermore, he Studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, graduating with a B.Sc in 1975. In 1978-1979 he went for further studies at the Glasgow College of Technology, Scotland (1978–1979). His professional career includes New Nigerian Newspapers: Associate Editor (1976–1980), Managing Editor (1980) and National Concord Newspaper: Deputy Editor (1980–1982) and Editor (1982–1984).
In 1984, Yakubu Mohammed co-founded Newswatch magazine alongside Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Dan Agbese . While he served at Newswatch, he was Executive Editor (1984–1986), Managing Editor (1986–1994) and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Newswatch Communications Ltd (from 1994).
He served as the Director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited. He was a member of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Commonwealth Journalists’ Association and Nigerian Guild of Editors. Also, He served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, contributing to higher education.
Regarding his personal legacy, Yakubu was Known for his integrity, forthright journalism, and commitment to professional excellence. His determination and his zeal for journalism helped to establish a tradition of investigative journalism in Nigeria. He also explored other serves, such as playing a pivotal role in political and community engagements, including involvement in Kogi State development.
Dan Agbese died at the age of 81, born in Agila, Ador local government area of Benue state. He had his formal education first from Native Authority school, Otobi from 1957-1959.
Among other certifications, he had teachers training college Keffe from 1960-1962. He later studied mass communication and journalism at the university of lagos. He join the Nigerian newspaper as staff writer in 1967 and 197. Dan Abgese proceeded to master’s in journalism from Columbia university new yorkin 1976 – 1977. Abgese was a multi-winner award journalist and was survived by his wife Chief Mrs. Rose Agbese and six children and seven grandchildren.
He was known for his unbiased reportage. In his capacity as the editor of the news Nigeria news papers, he published chief MkO Abiola’s resignation from the National Party Of Nigeria (NPN) as the lead story in 1982, a decision that reportedly annoyed the party hierarchy.
Tributes and Eulogy
On Wednesday the 14th of January 2026, in a statement released by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave his perspective, describing the passing of veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, as a profound loss to Nigeria’s media ecosystem. Sanwo-Olu said the death of the respected media professional was deeply painful, noting that Mohammed’s death represented a significant loss not only to journalism in Nigeria, but also to his immediate family, associates and individuals whose careers and lives were shaped by his work.
In a statement by the President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya described Dan Agbese as a quintessential journalist, a voice of the masses and an editor whose commitment to principles, truth, integrity, and public service shaped generations of media professionals and inspired more.
Dan Agbese and Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed were more than just journalists; they were also influential authors, public administrators, and a university pro-chancellor. They are celebrated as titans who represented courage, integrity, and professionalism during a defining era of Nigerian journalism.
