JUST IN: Nigerians Mourn As Two Prominent Politicians Die In One Day

Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the deaths of two prominent figures, Dr Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, and Mallam Kabir Dangogo, an award-winning public relations practitioner.

Both men passed away on Friday, leaving behind legacies of service in politics and media.

Doyin Okupe: A Political Stalwart Bows Out

Dr Doyin Okupe, former media aide to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, died in the early hours of Friday in Lagos at the age of 72.

Okupe, who hailed from Iperu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, had reportedly been battling an illness before his demise. The Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Jamiu Ashimi, confirmed his death, describing it as a tragic loss.

A close associate, Chief Michael Adesanya, also verified the news, stating that Okupe passed away early on Friday morning.

Okupe was a seasoned politician whose career spanned several decades. He served as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign but later resigned from the Labour Party, aligning himself with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

His political journey was not without controversy. In December 2022, he was convicted of breaching sections of the Money Laundering Act and stepped down from Obi’s campaign.

However, he remained a vocal figure in Nigerian politics, known for his bold opinions and strong political presence.

Beyond politics, Okupe was a medical doctor who co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre. He was also a former governorship aspirant in Ogun State and the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention.

Kabir Dangogo: A Media Icon Passes On

Also passing away on Friday was Mallam Kabir Dangogo, a respected public relations expert and former Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA). He died at the age of 76.

His son, Sadiq Kabir Dangogo, announced his death, stating that his funeral prayer (Janaza) would be held at Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna after Jumu’at prayers.
Dangogo was a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a veteran journalist who worked with the New Nigerian newspaper and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). He also served as a public relations officer at the Bank of the North Limited and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.

He was a founding president of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) and played a vital role in shaping public relations in Africa as the Secretary-General of the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA) from 2002 to 2006.

Nigeria Loses Two Giants

The deaths of Okupe and Dangogo have left a void in both the political and media landscapes of Nigeria. Tributes have continued to pour in, with many describing their contributions as invaluable to the nation’s development.

As the nation mourns, their legacies will undoubtedly remain in the annals of Nigeria’s history.