- His death comes barely two months after the demise of another Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese
- The governor prayed for Allah’s mercy on the departed soul and asked God to grant comfort to his family
- Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed was a seasoned journalist, editor and administrator
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has announced the passing of veteran journalist and Newswatch Magazine co-founder, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, who died at the age of 75.
Mohammed, an indigene of Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, was born on April 4, 1950.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that he reportedly passed away late Tuesday night in Lagos after a short illness. His death comes barely two months after the demise of another Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died in November 2025 at 81.
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In a condolence message released by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, Governor Ododo expressed deep sorrow over the loss and extended sympathies to the bereaved family and members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
The governor described Mohammed as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s media landscape and a distinguished son of Kogi State whose impact went far beyond journalism.
According to Ododo, the late journalist was part of an exceptional generation that helped shape investigative reporting in Nigeria, setting high standards for professionalism, courage and editorial independence.
He noted that Mohammed’s role in the founding of Newswatch Magazine in the mid-1980s, alongside Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Dan Agbese, represented a defining moment in the country’s media history, especially during the military era.
Ododo added that Mohammed’s legacy also extended to public service, recalling his time as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as well as his contributions to the development of Kogi State.
He described the late elder statesman as a mentor, bridge-builder and moral voice whose influence shaped national conversations and strengthened democratic accountability.
The governor prayed for Allah’s mercy on the departed soul and asked God to grant comfort to his family, colleagues and all those mourning his loss.
Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed was a seasoned journalist, editor and administrator. He earned a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1975 and later obtained a postgraduate diploma in management and public administration from the Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland.
Before co-founding Newswatch in 1984, he worked with New Nigerian and National Concord newspapers. He remained with Newswatch for nearly three decades, holding several editorial and management positions.
Between 2005 and 2007, he served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, further cementing his record of service to education and national development.
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