President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, following his death on Monday night.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said Mohammed’s life and career were devoted to nation-building through courageous and principled journalism.
Mohammed was one of the founding figures of Newswatch magazine in 1984, alongside Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese and Ray Ekpu. The publication earned a reputation for bold investigative reporting at a time when Nigeria was under military rule.
The President condoled with Mohammed’s family, the Government and people of Kogi State, and professional bodies including the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association. He also extended sympathies to the various media organisations where Mohammed worked.
Tinubu described the late journalist as a close associate and praised his willingness to put his life at risk in defence of truth and accountability. He recalled Mohammed’s role in keeping Newswatch alive after the killing of Dele Giwa in 1986, noting that the decision helped to preserve the magazine’s influence and deepen investigative journalism in Nigeria.
He further referenced Mohammed’s memoir, Beyond Expectations, published in November 2025, saying it encouraged national reflection on leadership and the responsibilities of the media.
Over his career, Mohammed served as Associate Editor at New Nigerian Newspapers from 1976 to 1980, and later as Deputy Editor and Editor of National Concord between 1980 and 1984. He also held the positions of Pro-Chancellor and Chancellor on the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University.
The President prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased and for his admission into Jannatul Firdaus.
