In this short but historically rich recollection, the author who was chief publicist of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic gives an insight into the late Chief Dan Agbese nearly like no other, yet! Certainly not for those who have circulated in the newsrooms across Northern Nigeria, particularly Kaduna, Jos and Kano and can relate to some of the names mentioned, especially veteran sub-editors such as Yakubu Ali! This is not original to Intervention. We thank the reader who sent it, insisting it must be republished!
By Simon Shango, MFR
We have a nickname that we have called ourselves since the day we met in the newsroom of the New Nigerian in 1967. He calls me Kwimbles, and I call him Kwimbles the Extra Large. The exact origin of that peculiar nickname, I cannot say, but it stayed with us for nearly six decades. Even when I spoke with him only three days ago, that was still the name we called each other.
Dan Agbese, veteran journalist, passed on November 17, 2025, at his Lagos home in the early hours of 5 a.m. He has been my friend and close associate since we were employed by the New Nigerian Newspaper Ltd., Kaduna, in 1967. Before then, he had worked at the Kashim Ibrahim Library at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, while I came directly from Government College Kaduna after completing my secondary school. Because of his wide knowledge, experience, and level of education, he was already a clever and competent reporter and sub-editor, different from myself, who was a trainee reporter.
Where Dan Agbese cut his professional teeth
I was determined to learn journalism fast, so I became his friend, as well as that of Yakubu Ali, who was also a sub-editor and a fine writer. Dan did not only write and sub-edit; he also served as an instructor for new reporters. He worked closely with experienced hands like Clement Isaiah, the Chief Sub-editor — who was father to the late Sam Nda-Isaiah, founder of Leadership newspaper, and with Mr. Razak Aremu, who was then Associate Editor.
Journalism at that time was hardly regarded as a profession. No Nigerian university even taught journalism then. It was only later that the University of Lagos began offering diploma courses, and I believe Dan was one of the first students to study journalism there. He eventually obtained his degree and returned to the New Nigerian before later leaving for the Nigerian Standard and then becoming General Manager of Radio Benue. He remained a respected journalist and a friend to all.
Later in life, I was not surprised when Dan joined hands with his colleagues — Dele Giwa, Yakubu Mohammed, and Ray Ekpu — to start Newswatch. Dan was a man who believed deeply in accountability and good governance. He shunned material wealth and insisted that things be done properly. That was Dan.
When I decided to leave journalism for politics, Dan called me and told me he did not share my view. He believed the best way to change society was through the pen. I told him I wanted to fight from within the system. He laughed, and we joked about it. But with hindsight today, I can say we were all losers. Dan could not change the system from outside, and I could not change it from within. And now, he is gone.
It would be nice to see The Nigeria Standard stage a comeback to its old self!
When we joined the New Nigerian, and indeed journalism as a whole, very few people took interest in the profession. From the entire Benue Province, we were only four: Dan Agbese, David Attah, Clement Ende, and myself. We tried, in our little ways, to change the system and make the country better than we met it. Up to the time of writing this tribute, I must admit that we have failed — whether from outside or inside.
What pains me deeply is that Dan did not only fail in his quest to reform society; he also lost Newswatch, the very vehicle through which he tried to fight for a better Nigeria. He lost the business after a long, draining court case. He lost not just the company, but also his livelihood.
In the last two years, he was living on charity from friends and family. It is sad that even the wheelchair he needed when he lost the use of his legs was donated to him by Malam Idi Farouk.
This is the lot of writers in our country. I have not seen anyone who dedicated himself to transforming this nation, in honesty and integrity, end up rewarded, whether materially or otherwise. Those who succeed are those who run the rat race, dabbling in corruption and greed.
Dans death should be a lesson to Nigeria. Men and women who give their lives, energy, and intellect to make this nation work are abandoned to suffer in silence. They die in penury while no one cares.
Society will remember Dan Agbese as a fearless journalist. A man of honour. A man who did what was right without seeking praise. We will miss him. This country will miss him. His family will miss him. And his friends, like myself, will miss him deeply.
Goodbye, Dan.
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