Dan Ochima AGBESE

Biographical record

Title

Mr

Surname

AGBESE

First Name

Dan

Other Names

Ochima

Gender

Male

Source of Publication

Newswatch Who's Who (2nd Edition)

Date of Birth

May 12, 1944

Status

Died

Date of Death

November 17, 2025

State of Origin

Benue State

Place of Birth

Agila, Okpokwu,

Father's Name

Philip Agbese Onazi

Father's Status

N/A

Mother's Status

N/A

Marital Status

Married

Name of Spouse

Rose Oga, 1974

Number of Children (Male)

2

Number of Children ( Female)

4

Profession

Veteran Journalist
Columnist
Author

Working Experience

Teacher, 1963-66; Library Assistant, 1966-67; Staff Writer, New Nigerian Newspaper, 1967-70; Chief Sub- Editor,the Nigerian Standard, Jos, 1974-76;

Education Level

Tertiary

Schools Attended with Dates

Native Authority School, Otobi, 1957-59, Government Teachers' Training College, Keffi, 1960-62, University of Lagos, 1970-73, Thomson Foundation, Cardiff, UK, 1976, Columbia University. Morningside Heights, New York, USA, 1976-77;

Educational Qualification

B.A., M.Sc.

Membership of Professional Bodies/Professional Qualifications

Fellow, Nigeria Guild of Editors

Present Appointment

Executive Director, MayFive Media Limited

Previous Appointments

Assistant Editor, The Nigerian Standard, 1976-78; Editor, The Nigerian Standard, 1978-80; General Manager, Radio Benue, Makurdi, 1980; Special Adviser and Director of Information, Benue State, 1980-82; Editor, New Nigerian, Kaduna, 1982-84: Co-Founder and Managing Editor, Newswatch Magazine, Lagos, 1984- 86; Appointed, Deputy Editor-in-Chief/ Deputy Chief Executive, Newswatch, Lagos, 1986-1994; Editor-in- Chief, Newswatch, Lagos,1994-2011; Director, Nigerian Magazines Limited, U.K.

Have you ever been a member of any political party?

N/A

Creative Work/Major Exhibitions

He wrote popular columns for The Nigeria Standard and Newswatch magazine. He is the author of eight books:
Turning Points in the Political History of Nigeria, 1966 - 1999;

Fellow Nigerians: Turning Points in the Political History of Nigeria. 2000.

Nigeria, their Nigeria, Babangida: Military, Politics and Power in Nigeria,

Style: A Guide to Good Writing,

The Reporter's Companion and The Columnist's Companion: The Art and Craft of Column Writing,

The Energy Crises in Nigeria,

In the Service of My Country: Selected Speeches of Abdullahi Adamu.

He has also contributed chapters to several books on Nigerian politics.

Outstanding Achievements

Winner, Poetry Prize, First All Nigeria Festival Arts and Culture, 1969;

British Council Playwright Prize, 1969;

Pitman Prize, University of Lagos, 1973;

John Taylor Award, Columbia University, 1977

Hobbies

reading, photography, squash

Other Relevant Information

Agbese's style of writing has been the subject of thesis by students in the University of Jos, University of Ibadan and Benue State University.

He was detained by the Abacha administration in 1994 for conducting an interview with David Mark that was critical of the government.


Official Address:
MayFive Media Limited
10B Acme Road
Agidingbi,
Ikeja,
Lagos.

Phone Number

+234 (0) 8033218058

Residential Address

3rd Avenue, 303 Road, House 1, Festac Town, Lagos.

Source

https://www.thecable.ng/tribute-to-dan-agbese/
https://dailytrust.com/agbese-celebrating-the-life-of-a-journalism-veteran/
https://dailytrust.com/tribute-to-dan-agbese/

Source

https://www.thecable.ng/tribute-to-dan-agbese/, https://dailytrust.com/agbese-celebrating-the-life-of-a-journalism-veteran/, https://dailytrust.com/tribute-to-dan-agbese/