Is it true that Oga Dan Agbese is dead? In my quiet moments of thought, I am still in great shock and cannot come to terms with the sad news of the demise of a man of letters, quintessential journalist, and a father figure to many of us in the pen profession.
I had been following the writings of Dan Agbese right from his days in the New Nigeria newspapers in Kaduna, and his literary prowess and creativity based on lucidity of language and sublime prosiac syntaxes have placed him among the gifted in sub-Saharan Africa.
I first met Oga Dan in Newswatch in 1997 in Lagos when I was employed as an Assistant editor with the magazine. Coming from Yola in the North East of the country, my thought was that I would be sent to the North East as a regional editor of the magazine. Equipped with over a decade of post-NYSC experience in journalism, having served as the first senior state correspondent of the Vanguard Newspapers and an assistant editor of The Week magazine, my mind was prepared for Yola, but alas! Oga Dan told me in clear terms that I would be at the head office to learn the ropes of intellectual journalism. I had to fine-tune my mind and strategically adjust my psyche to the realities of that moment.
Oga Dan was my father figure, a mentor and a teacher who was always approachable to assist me at times of difficulty. As the first full blooded Fulani Muslim to be employed by Newswatch magazine from the North East, Oga Dan, though a Tiv high chief, was conscious of my “minority” status in the newsroom and gave me the latitude to turn challenges into opportunities in my sojourn as an editorial staff.
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g any parameter of journalistic practice, Oga Dan, whose ideas have regulated contemporary issues in the world, would not be forgotten in a hurry in so many years to come, as his legendary kindness, wise counsel, infectious charm, strength of character, and virtues of humility stand him out for an exceptional and exemplary lifestyle that is worthy of emulation.
Oga Dan has broadened the spectrum of knowledge and expanded the corridors and, in fact, the frontiers of journalism that left an indelible mark on the sands of time. As a man of uncommon grace and compassion, Oga Dan lived a successful life that was devoid of drama and scandal.
Nigeria is currently under an existential threat to the best tradition of exceptional journalists with courage of conviction like my Oga Dan. Sir, even in death, you are my Oga and I would continue to mourn your demise with tears dripping on my cheeks.
I will always remember Oga Dan as an intellect whose brilliance had dazzled mediocrity and scholarship obliterated darkness. Oga Dan, in my opinion, had the combined brains of literary giants like Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the greatest of all time, William Shakespeare.
The troika of Oga Dan, Oga Ray Ekpu, and Oga Yakubu Mohammed brought fame, flair, and finesse to modern journalism that made strong building blocks, which provided stepping stones to thousands, if not millions, of pen pushers in Nigeria.
As we mourn Oga Dan, may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and may God in His infinite mercies console and comfort his immediate family, friends, and associates at this moment of monumental grief.
Adieu to a “four-star general” in the pen profession. Good night, sir.
Ibrahim Modibbo, MPhil. Ph.D.
(Development Communication)
