Newswatch marks Giwa’s 40th death anniversary with book

Newswatch is set to publish a collection of Dele Giwa’s journalism on October 19, 40 years after the magazine’s founding editor was killed by a parcel bomb in Lagos, in a commemoration coming as two more members of the publication’s founding quartet have died.

The book, Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism, will bring together his writings from Daily Times, Sunday Concord and Newswatch magazine, alongside tributes from prominent journalists, including his peers and friends.

Newswatch Plus Limited and the wider Newswatch family announced the publication in a statement signed by the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Soji Akinrinade.

The presentation will take place at noon at the Kessington Adebutu Auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.

The founder and publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka, will chair the event, while journalist Ray Ekpu edited the book.

Giwa was killed on October 19, 1986, when a parcel bomb was delivered to his home on Talabi Street, Ikeja. His assassination remains unsolved, four decades after the attack.

The anniversary also comes after the deaths of two of the three journalists who founded Newswatch alongside Giwa.

Dan Agbese died in November 2025, while Yakubu Mohammed died in January 2026, leaving Ekpu as the only surviving member of the quartet.

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The four journalists established Newswatch in 1985, with Giwa as editor-in-chief and Ekpu as his deputy.

The magazine went on to play a prominent role in investigative journalism and the coverage of public affairs in Nigeria.

The statement said the book presentation would allow the Newswatch family to remember Giwa by revisiting his work and writings across the publications where he built his reputation.

It said the volume would also feature tributes from eminent journalists, particularly those who knew Giwa personally and worked alongside him.

“The book presentation allows the Dele Giwa media family to remember the murdered journalism icon, showcasing his works and writings from Daily Times, Sunday Concord and Newswatch magazine,” the statement said.

Newswatch described the anniversary as an occasion to honour Giwa while mourning the loss of the other journalists who helped establish the magazine.