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My brother Dan, goodbye – Ray Ekpu

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Veteran journalist Ray Ekpu delivered a heartfelt tribute to his late colleague and Newswatch co-founder, Chief Dan Agbese, on behalf of Newswatch Communications Limited during a celebration of life ceremony held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at Whitestone Event Place in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event brought together journalists, public officials, writers, and admirers to honour Agbese, who passed away on November 17, 2025, at the age of 81 following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Chief Rose Agbese, six children (including a professor of Mass Communication), and seven grandchildren.

In his tribute, Ekpu described the deep interconnectedness among Newswatch’s four original founders—Dele Giwa, Yakubu Mohammed, Dan Agbese, and himself—likening it to a “cobweb” forged through shared education at the University of Lagos in the 1970s, professional experiences, and a bold decision to launch an independent publication in 1985.

“We moved fiercely from being friends to being founders,” Ekpu recounted, detailing how the trio of Mohammed, Giwa, and himself secured initial funding in London before Agbese wisely suggested naming the company Newswatch Communications Limited to align with the magazine’s title.

Ekpu highlighted the foundational principles that sustained their 27-year partnership: appointing Giwa and Agbese as leaders to affirm their value, equal salaries and allowances for all founders, mandatory column writing, and democratic decision-making through voting, with a casting vote to break ties.

He praised the group’s diversity—spanning different ethnic groups and religions (three Christians and one Muslim)—as a strength that prevented bigotry and fostered harmony. “These attributes increased the acreage of our understanding of each other and limited areas of our disagreement,” Ekpu said.

Ekpu portrayed Agbese as a humble royal who never flaunted his heritage, a calm and decent leader despite being the oldest and most experienced, and a mentor who encouraged clear, reader-friendly writing without grandiloquence or sensationalism.

“Dan’s journalism was admirably simple and simply admirable,” Ekpu noted, emphasising Agbese’s rejection of “guerrilla journalism” and insistence on fact-checking, including Newswatch’s “three-source rule” for major stories.

The tribute also recalled Newswatch’s innovative practices, such as democratised cover story selection, staff performance assessments based on published work, and the introduction of “Preface to Cover”—philosophical essays Ekpu pioneered—as appetisers to main features.

Ekpu commended Agbese’s courage during military rule, when Newswatch faced proscription, detentions, frozen accounts, and trials—including a mutiny charge alongside Ekpu and Mohammed—yet remained committed to credible, investigative journalism.

Reflecting on their enduring friendship, Ekpu said disagreements were resolved swiftly, often within a day, and continued post-retirement in 2011 through a new writing venture. “We are an orchestra: start together and finish together.”

In conclusion, Ekpu urged the family to “rejoice and celebrate” Agbese’s illustrious legacy as a nationalist, patriot, author of several books (one a university text), and iconic columnist whose style is studied in Nigerian institutions. He outlived Nigeria’s average life expectancy of 56 by 25 years and left a profound impact.

Ekpu called on journalists to support the newly approved Code of Ethics and Ombudsman structure by bodies like the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Guild of Editors as the “best tribute” to Agbese amid challenges from AI and social media.

“My brother Dan, goodbye,” Ekpu closed.

The event featured opening remarks by former Ogun State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, who praised Agbese’s character, and tributes echoing themes of integrity, simplicity, and mentorship. President Bola Tinubu and others had earlier mourned Agbese as an “institution” in Nigerian journalism.

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Akwa Ibom APC Adopts Governor Umo Eno for Second Term Bid

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has thrown its weight behind Governor Umo Eno as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election, paving the way for his second-term ambition under the ruling party.

Governor Eno, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in 2025, formally submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms for the APC governorship primaries in early May 2026. He described the second term as necessary to complete ongoing projects and consolidate the gains of his ARISE Agenda.

Speaking after submitting the forms in Abuja, Governor Eno called on APC members to support his nomination during the primaries, expressing confidence that his administration’s developmental strides would earn him the party’s backing and the people’s mandate.

“I have just submitted the nomination form. We call on members of APC to support our nomination during the primaries, as we will continue to pray and trust God for more development to thrive in the state,” he said.

Several APC stakeholders and local government chapters in the state have already endorsed Governor Eno’s second-term bid, describing it as a move for continuity and project completion. The governor has repeatedly highlighted numerous ongoing infrastructure and developmental initiatives that require additional time to deliver maximum impact.

The development marks a significant political realignment in Akwa Ibom, as Eno positions the state under the APC platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

Party sources indicate that the APC leadership is working towards a smooth process for the governor’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer, though the formal primaries are yet to be held.

Governor Eno was first elected in 2023 under the PDP before switching to the APC.

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Lagos Captures 6.4 Million Residents in Major Digital Identity Drive

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The Lagos State Government has successfully registered over 6.4 million residents into its digital identity database, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance governance, planning, and public service delivery.

The achievement was announced under the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) and the Lagos Identity Card Project (LAG ID). According to officials, the initiative aims to create a comprehensive, reliable database of residents to improve targeted service delivery, urban planning, and overall governance efficiency.

Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, who provided the update, described the Lagos Identity Card Project as a critical tool for the state’s digital transformation agenda. He emphasized that the captured data will support better resource allocation and more effective delivery of government services.

The exercise forms part of Lagos State’s broader push toward a digital economy, enabling smoother access to services such as healthcare, social welfare, transportation, and other citizen-centric programmes. Officials noted that the database will help in accurate planning for infrastructure and social interventions.

With Lagos being Nigeria’s most populous state, estimated to have over 20 million residents, the registration of 6.4 million people represents a substantial step forward, though authorities say efforts are ongoing to capture more residents.

The state government has reiterated its commitment to data-driven governance and urged residents yet to register to take advantage of the ongoing exercise for better inclusion in government services.

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EFCC Invasion Forces Uni. Uyo Teaching Hospital to Suspend Operations (Video)

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Operations at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) were dramatically disrupted on Wednesday after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegedly invaded the facility, detained some management staff, and assaulted others, prompting the hospital to suspend services.

The Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Dr. Emem Bassey, told journalists that the unannounced raid created a hostile environment, forcing the hospital management to halt clinical services to ensure the safety of both staff and patients. The Accident and Emergency Unit, however, remains operational.

Dr. Bassey expressed disappointment over the incident, noting that the hospital had maintained cordial relations with the EFCC and was fully cooperating on the matter under investigation. He revealed that the requested report had already been prepared and was awaiting his signature when the operatives arrived.

“The use of force and detention of staff was unnecessary,” Dr. Bassey said. “Dialogue would have resolved this issue peacefully.”

Professor Eyo Ekpe, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council, who was reportedly among those assaulted, described the EFCC’s action as an “unprovoked invasion.” He claimed he had shown the team leader the completed report before the situation escalated into violence.

The hospital management has called for an independent investigation into the incident and urged the EFCC to use proper channels when engaging with public institutions.

In an earlier statement, the EFCC said its operatives were attacked and trapped inside the hospital while conducting an operation linked to an ongoing fraud investigation. The case reportedly involves a suspect accused of defrauding multiple microfinance banks in Akwa Ibom State.

The development has raised concerns about the impact on healthcare delivery in the region, with patients and staff caught in the middle of the confrontation between the anti-graft agency and the hospital.

As of Thursday, normal services at the hospital remained suspended pending further resolution.

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