Dan Agbese: Benue Printing Corp Renamed to Honor Journalist

Benue State Renames Publishing Corporation After Late Journalist Dan Agbese

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has officially renamed the state-owned Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation in honour of the late veteran journalist Chief Dan Agbese, a move aimed at preserving his legacy and promoting ethical journalism.

An executive order signed by the governor and announced by his Technical Adviser on Media, Solomon Iorpev, changes the institution’s name to the Dan Agbese Printing and Publishing Corporation. The directive takes immediate effect and applies to all official documentation, communications, signage, and public references, with all state ministries and agencies instructed to comply.

The decision fulfils a pledge made by Governor Alia during Benue State’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, where he promised to immortalise the influential media figure. In a statement, Iorpev said the renaming is intended to “institutionalise excellence in public communication, preserve Chief Agbese’s legacy and inspire future generations to pursue truth and service with courage and professionalism.”

Dan Agbese, a Benue State native, died on November 17, 2025, at age 81. He was a towering figure in Nigerian journalism, best known for co-founding the pioneering Newswatch magazine in the 1980s alongside Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed. Over his decades-long career, Agbese earned acclaim for his investigative reporting, sharp political analysis, and fearless commentary. His columns consistently held power to account and shaped national discourse.

Agbese also authored several books, including The Letterman and the co-authored The President Is Not Sick. He was widely respected as a mentor to younger journalists. Following his death, tributes described him as “a journalistic institution” who practiced the profession “with conscience, courage and an unshakeable commitment to truth.”

The state government stated that honouring Agbese in this manner reflects “the dignity, history and aspirations of the people” while recognising service to society. It urged media practitioners, students, and public servants in Benue to uphold the principles of integrity and truth that defined Agbese’s work.

The renaming of the publishing corporation permanently associates a key state-owned media asset with one of Nigeria’s most formidable journalistic voices, signalling a formal commitment to his ideals within Benue’s public communication landscape.