The Agbese family of Ikpilogwu clan of Agila district, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State has announced the death of Chief Dan Agbese, co-founder of Newswatch Magazine.
A statement by Okibe AGBESE, stated that Chief Agbese, who was the Awan’Otun of Agila, died on Monday, November 17, 2025 at the age of 81.
Born May 12, 1944 in Agila, the late Chief Agbese was a renowned journalist, author, and was famous for his seminal contributions to journalism practice in Nigeria and renowned for his satirical columns.
He was editor of The Nigeria Standard and New Nigerian newspapers, and General Manager of Radio Benue, Makurdi and was one of the founders of the trail-blazing Newswatch magazine and was until April 2010 its Editor-in-Chief.
Before his passing, Chief Agbese wrote several books and maintained weekly columns in notable newspapers including the Daily Trust and The Guardian, while running a media consultancy with his friends and colleagues, Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Muhammed and Soji Akinrinade.
The late Chief Agbese is survived by his wife, Chief Rose Agbese, six children, and seven grandchildren.
