Media executives, veteran journalists, and prominent personalities have paid tribute to the late Dele Giwa, co-founder of Newswatch magazine, at the launch of Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism, a book documenting his contributions to Nigerian journalism.
The event, organised by Newswatch Plus, was held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the Sir Kessington Adebutu Auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Giwa’s assassination.
The book chronicles some of his writings published in Daily Times, Sunday Concord, and Newswatch, alongside two interviews and contributions from 16 prominent Nigerian writers on journalism and legacy.
Veteran journalist and editor of the book, Mr. Ray Ekpu, in his welcome address, described the publication as an effort to preserve Giwa’s legacy and ensure that his contributions to journalism remain relevant to future generations.
Ekpu recalled the pain of Giwa’s assassination on October 19, 1986, when a parcel bomb delivered to his Ikeja residence killed the journalist, leaving his family, friends and professional colleagues devastated.
He stated that efforts by Giwa’s colleagues and members of the media community to secure justice for him had remained unsuccessful despite years of legal and other interventions.
Ekpu explained that the book was intended not merely to remember Giwa’s death but to celebrate his life and work.
“We are here to give presence to his absence by presenting to the public a book that will memorialise and immortalise him,” he said.
Ekpu affirmed that the publication brought together Giwa’s newspaper and magazine articles, interviews and essays by leading writers, offering readers an opportunity to appreciate his writing and journalistic legacy.
He also paid tribute to those who supported Giwa during his lifetime and fought for justice after his death, including the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, whom he described as an indefatigable lawyer and friend.
Reflecting on the dangers of journalism, Ekpu recounted how his young son abandoned his ambition to become a journalist after Giwa’s assassination because he feared suffering the same fate as the late editor.
He mentioned that journalists continued to face serious risks while covering protests, elections, riots and wars, lamenting the persistent killing of media professionals and the lack of accountability for such crimes.
“Whether truth is trouble or not, first, truth must be told if society is to move in the right direction,” Ekpu said, urging the authorities to protect journalists rather than punish them for carrying out their professional responsibilities.
He described Giwa as a patriot who used his pen to advocate a better Nigeria, adding that his writings demonstrated that he was “a legend, a true legend of the written word.”
Founder of Vanguard Newspaper, Uncle Sam Amuka, also paid tribute to Giwa, reflecting on his remarkable intellect, writing ability, and willingness to speak truth to power.
Amuka noted that the publication offered an opportunity to revisit Giwa’s work and appreciate the quality of his journalism, even four decades after his death.
Former Ogun State Governor and Chairman of NIJ Governing Council, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, recalled Giwa’s concerns about threats to his safety shortly before his assassination.
Osoba recounted that Giwa had expressed fears that he was being targeted during a gathering of media personalities on October 18, 1986. He disclosed that efforts were made to raise the matter with the authorities, but news of the bombing came the following morning.
He commended the organisers and Giwa’s colleagues for ensuring that the journalist’s contributions were remembered, urging the media community to continue honouring its own.
Publisher of ThisDay newspaper, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, recalled witnessing the aftermath of the bombing and described Giwa’s voice as one that continued to resonate in Nigerian journalism.
He pointed out that Giwa’s influence had endured beyond his death, encouraging journalists to uphold his commitment to speaking truth to power.
Founder of Insight Communications Ltd., Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, described the occasion as a celebration rather than a day of mourning, remembering Giwa as a close friend and an extraordinary personality.
Shobanjo recalled being among those who witnessed the distressing aftermath of the bombing at First Foundation Hospital, which stood close to his residence.
He described Giwa as a friend, husband, father, colleague and exceptional journalist, emphasising that his memory remained alive through his work and the people whose lives he touched.
Former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, recalled meeting Giwa in 1975 while teaching at Brooklyn College in the United States. He stated that their friendship grew close over the years, describing the late journalist as a unique and special individual whose memory would remain a blessing.
Ogunbiyi urged the organisers to ensure that copies of the book reached journalism schools across Nigeria so that students could study Giwa’s writing and learn from his professional legacy.
Daughter of the late journalist, Aisha Giwa, expressed pride in her father, saying that although she did not have the opportunity to know him personally, the stories shared by her mother and family friends had given her a strong sense of his life and character.
She stressed that the positive comments people continued to make about her father and his wife had strengthened her pride in her family.
“With the launch of this book, I know that his name will continue to live on,” she remarked.
In his goodwill message, veteran journalist Nosa Igiebor recalled the shock and anger that followed Giwa’s assassination, lamenting that those responsible had not been brought to justice.
Igiebor said that Giwa had left a significant legacy, not only for his family but also for Nigerian journalism and the many professionals he inspired.
President of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism Alumni Association (NIJAA), Mr. Muyiwa Akintunde, also paid tribute to Giwa, recalling his connection with the institution and his commitment to speaking out in defence of the truth.
Akintunde pledged that NIJAA would continue to remember and honour the late journalist.
Reviewing the book, founder and publisher of TheCable, Mr. Simon Kolawole, described the publication as an important contribution to preserving the history of Nigerian journalism.
Kolawole noted that Giwa’s assassination had sometimes overshadowed his achievements as a writer, making the book a necessary reminder of his professional and literary contributions.
He reiterated that the collection demonstrated Giwa’s ability to transform ordinary experiences into engaging narratives through elegant, lively, and provocative prose.
Kolawole also highlighted the late journalist’s treatment of issues including censorship, political power, professional ethics, national identity, ambition, and patriotism.
According to him, Giwa’s writing went beyond Nigeria’s domestic affairs to explore international politics, race relations, and broader questions affecting humanity.
The publisher commended Ekpu for assembling the collection, describing it as a valuable resource for writers, historians, journalism students, and readers who appreciate the power of the written word.
He advised journalism schools and students to draw lessons from Giwa’s storytelling, clarity, and discipline, noting that his writings continued to engage readers 40 years after his assassination.
Other speakers at the event included medical doctor Dokun Adedeji, who recounted Giwa’s final moments, as well as other associates who shared memories of the late journalist and reflected on his enduring influence.
Dignitaries at the book launch included Giwa’s widow, Olufunmilayo; the first Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Muyiwa Adetiba; Editor-in-Chief of TheNiche, Ikechukwu Amaechi; President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba; and Founder and Director of The Journalism Clinic, Mr. Taiwo Obe, among others.
Giwa was assassinated at his Ikeja residence in Lagos on October 19, 1986, when a parcel bomb delivered to him exploded as he opened it. He was a co-founder of Newswatch Magazine and remains a prominent figure in the history of Nigerian journalism.
The launch of Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism marked a renewed effort to preserve his writings and celebrate a legacy defined by incisive reporting, literary excellence, and a commitment to holding power accountable.
