Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed grief over the death of the Publisher, Managing Editor and Chief Executive Officer of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo.
Sanwo-Olu described Oladipo’s death as shocking, painful and heartbreaking, saying the veteran journalist’s passing was a major loss to Nigeria’s media industry, his family and the country.
The governor, in a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, sympathised with Oladipo’s immediate and extended family, as well as the management and staff of Premium Eagle Media Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online.
He also extended his condolences to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) over the death of the immediate past President of GOCOP.
Sanwo-Olu described Oladipo as a cerebral and prolific writer who made significant contributions to the development of journalism, particularly online journalism in Nigeria.
“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,” the governor said.
He noted that Oladipo’s pioneering efforts in online journalism had contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of the profession.
According to him, although the journalist’s sudden death had come as a rude shock to his family, friends, colleagues and associates, they should draw comfort from his achievements and accept the loss as the will of God.
Sanwo-Olu recalled his personal interactions with Oladipo during media engagements, describing 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.
The governor particularly recalled Oladipo’s presentation of GOCOP’s position during a media interaction about three years ago, saying his ability to articulate his arguments made him a journalist who commanded attention.
“You can’t but listen to him,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor also paid tribute to Oladipo’s contributions beyond journalism, describing him as a dutiful husband and good father who touched many lives through his profession.
He said Oladipo had lived an exemplary life and successfully rose through the ranks to become a publisher, managing editor and chief executive of a media organisation.
Sanwo-Olu urged the bereaved family and Oladipo’s colleagues to find solace in the journalist’s legacy and the impact he made during his lifetime.
“Death is inevitable, as we all will die. Our purpose in life is not to live forever, but to create something that will outlive us, bearing in mind that it is not the length of life that matters, but the depth of life,” he said.
The governor, on behalf of his family and the Lagos State Government, prayed for strength and comfort for the Oladipo family, friends, colleagues and journalists across Nigeria as they mourned the veteran journalist.
“May God grant them the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Sanwo-Olu said.
