Daud Olatunji
Newswatch Plus Limited, publishers of Newswatch magazine, is set to honour its founding editor-in-chief, Dele Giwa, with a commemorative book marking the 40th anniversary of his assassination.
The book, titled Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism, will be unveiled on Monday, October 19, at the Kessington Adebutu Auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event will celebrate Giwa’s enduring contributions to Nigerian journalism, particularly his role in advancing investigative reporting and setting high professional standards in the media industry.
According to a statement signed by the Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, Soji Akinrinade, the event will be chaired by the founder and publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka.
The book has been edited by veteran journalist Ray Ekpu, who co-founded Newswatch alongside Giwa, Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agbese in 1985.
It features a collection of Giwa’s writings published in the Daily Times, Sunday Concord and Newswatch magazine, alongside tributes from prominent journalists, particularly his contemporaries, friends and professional associates.
The statement described the book presentation as an opportunity for the Newswatch family to preserve the legacy of the late journalist and showcase his contributions to the development of Nigerian journalism.
Under Giwa’s leadership, Newswatch introduced a new vigour to investigative journalism, establishing a reputation for in-depth reporting and fearless scrutiny of public affairs.
Giwa was assassinated on October 19, 1986, at the age of 39, after a parcel bomb was delivered to his residence on Talabi Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
Four decades after the killing, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unresolved. The assassination has long been linked in public discourse to the administration of former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, who has consistently denied involvement.
The late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, was among those who persistently demanded justice for Giwa until his death in September 2009.
The forthcoming book presentation also comes at a significant moment for the Newswatch founding team, following the deaths of two other co-founders, Agbese and Mohammed.
Agbese died in November 2025, while Mohammed died in January 2026, leaving Ekpu as the last surviving member of the quartet that established the influential news magazine.
The Newswatch family said the event would provide an opportunity for journalists, media professionals and the public to reflect on Giwa’s legacy through his published works and the testimonies of those who knew him.
It also appealed to media organisations to cover the event, describing the anniversary as an important occasion to celebrate a journalism icon whose work continues to influence professional reporting in Nigeria.
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