Veteran Media Icon, Dan Agbese, Dies at 81

The late Agbese

The Agbese family of the Ikpilogwu clan in Agila district, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, announces the passing of their husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and mentor, Chief Dan Agbese, the Awan’Otun of Agila.

Chief Agbese departed to eternal glory on the morning of Monday, November 17, 2025, at the age of 81.

Details of his burial arrangements will be communicated by the family in due course.

Born on May 12, 1944, in Agila, Chief Agbese was a distinguished journalist and author, widely acclaimed for his seminal contributions to journalism in Nigeria and known for his celebrated satirical columns.

He served as editor of The Nigeria Standard and New Nigerian newspapers, and also held the position of General Manager at Radio Benue, Makurdi.

A pioneer in Nigerian journalism, Chief Agbese was one of the founders of the trail-blazing Newswatch magazine and remained its Editor-in-Chief until April 2010.

Until his death, he authored several books, maintained weekly columns in prominent newspapers such as Daily Trust and The Guardian, and operated a media consultancy alongside his friends and colleagues—Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Muhammed, and Soji Akinrinade.

He is survived by his wife, Chief Rose Agbese, six children, and seven grandchildren.

Okibe AGBESE,
For the family