Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), GCFR, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran journalist and public intellectual, Yakubu Mohammed, describing him as a trusted friend, confidant and an exceptional Nigerian.
In a heartfelt press statement issued from his Minna Hilltop residence in Niger State, Babangida said the passing of Mohammed came as a shock, despite being aware of his recent health challenges.
“Death has a way of undercutting our expectations. It comes with hurt. It benumbs. I was aware of his health challenges lately, but it never occurred to me that it was life-threatening,” Babangida said.
He recalled Mohammed as an idealistic, dependable and intellectually vibrant journalist who combined journalism with business acumen and built enduring friendships across professional and regional lines.
According to the former military leader, the late Mohammed belonged to an elite generation of journalists who shaped Nigerian journalism during his years in government.
“Yakubu Mohammed, alongside Soji Omotunde, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Dele Giwa, were intellectual giants who carved a niche for Nigerian journalism. As a government, we tapped ideas from their reservoir of knowledge as we navigated the challenges of governance,” he stated.
Babangida described the deceased as forthright, principled and intellectually courageous.
“He was not the road of the middleman. He would disagree with me based on superior logic and convey such impressions without batting an eyelid,” he added.
He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the late journalist, asking that his shortcomings be forgiven and that he be admitted into Aljanat Firdaus.