Ray Ekpu Reflects on Dele Giwa's Legacy and Impact

Ray Ekpu, a veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, shared how the assassination of Dele Giwa, the magazine’s founding editor-in-chief, affected his family. Speaking at the launch of "Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism" at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos, Ekpu revealed that his five-year-old son abandoned his dream of becoming a journalist after Giwa's death on October 19, 1986, due to fear of violence in the profession.

Ekpu described their close relationship, noting that his son had admired Giwa until the tragic event changed his perspective. He expressed disappointment that efforts to seek justice for Giwa, including collaboration with their late lawyer Gani Fawehinmi, have been unsuccessful over the last 40 years.

The book features Giwa's writings and essays on his legacy, aiming to honor his memory rather than mourn his loss. Ekpu highlighted the dangers journalists face, referencing a report that noted 128 journalists were killed worldwide in 2025, and lamented the lack of accountability for such crimes in Nigeria.