The late publisher of The Eagle Online, Oladotun Samson Oladipo, was buried in Lagos on Friday, as relatives, friends and colleagues from Nigeria’s media industry gathered to pay their final respects.
Oladipo, who died suddenly on August 25 at the age of 56, was laid to rest following a funeral service held at Stella Hall, Oregun, Ikeja.
His death came after he reportedly felt unwell, with no previous illness or known incident reported before his passing, according to The Eagle Online.
A former Political Editor of Punch Newspaper, Oladipo later established The Eagle Online, building a career that earned him recognition within Nigeria’s journalism and online publishing community.
Delivering a sermon at the funeral service, Pastor Solomon Akpande urged mourners to live purposeful lives and make meaningful contributions while they have the opportunity.
Speaking on the theme, “Make your life count,” Akpande stressed the uncertainty and brevity of life, reminding the congregation that “days are few and numbered.”
He urged people to avoid postponing acts of kindness and other responsibilities, saying whatever good conduct was required of anyone should be carried out without procrastination.
Akpande also appealed to those present to place value on humanity in their leadership and everyday interactions.
He offered words of encouragement to Oladipo’s family, assuring them that they had not been abandoned and that God would continue to uphold them.
According to him, the fruits of Oladipo’s labour would continue to benefit and support his family even after his death.
Tributes from family members, friends and media colleagues centred on Oladipo’s humility, kindness and diligence, with speakers reflecting on his character and contributions during his lifetime.
Beyond his work as a journalist and publisher, Oladipo played an active role in the development of Nigeria’s online publishing industry.
He served as president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers between 2017 and 2021 and was also a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
His death attracted condolences from prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Oladipo’s burial brought together members of his family and the wider journalism community, marking the end of a career that spanned traditional newspaper journalism and Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital media sector.
