Lagos: Veteran journalist Yakubu Mohammed, co-founder of Nigeria’s first weekly news magazine, Newswatch, has clarified that the assassination of Dele Giwa in 1986 was unrelated to the late Gloria Okon.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mohammed, who established Newswatch alongside Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Dan Agbese in 1984, shared these insights in his memoir, ‘Beyond Expectations.’ The assassination of Giwa, a prominent Nigerian journalist, occurred on October 19, 1986, following the delivery of a parcel bomb to his Lagos residence. Rumors circulated that Giwa possessed critical information on Okon, who had been detained for drug trafficking at Aminu Kano Airport and was later reportedly deceased. Speculation persisted that Okon was secretly living in London.
Mohammed addressed these rumors in his memoir, questioning whether Giwa was working on a story about Okon and if he had interviewed her in London. Mohammed emphasized that the magazine had no intentions of pursuing a story on Okon, stating that none of the reporters, editors, or directors, including Giwa, Ekpu, Agbese, and himself, planned such coverage.
The Okon story emerged from a suggestion by Bose Lasaki, a new staff member eager to contribute. She proposed exploring rumors that the deceased drug courier in Kano was alive. Her colleagues dismissed the idea, prompting a reevaluation. Upon further investigation, Lasaki reported finding no substance to the story, ending its pursuit.
Mohammed also noted that Giwa and Ekpu were absent from editorial meetings discussing Okon and were unaware of the supposed story. He reiterated that until Giwa’s death, Okon was not a topic of interest. Despite rumors suggesting Giwa met Okon in London before his death, Mohammed, who accompanied Giwa on the trip, confirmed that no such meeting occurred.
