LAGOS, Nigeria — The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has mourned the deaths of three veteran Nigerian journalists — Dotun Oladipo, Sola Olugbemiro, popularly known as Solkem, and Sylvester Enoghase — describing their passing as a major loss to the country’s media and communications industry.
The association joined journalists, professional organisations, businesses and individuals across Nigeria in paying tribute to the three media professionals, whose careers spanned several decades and contributed to the development of Nigerian journalism and publishing.
Oladipo, publisher of The Eagle Online, chief executive officer of Premium Eagle Media Limited and former Political Editor of PUNCH Newspapers, died on August 25, 2026, in Lagos at the age of 56 following a sudden illness.
He was also a former president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), serving from 2017 to 2021, and was widely regarded as one of the journalists who helped shape Nigeria’s transition from traditional newspaper publishing to the rapidly expanding digital media industry.
ACAMB said Oladipo’s influence extended beyond the positions he held, noting his contribution to the professionalisation and growth of online publishing in Nigeria.
Sola Olugbemiro Remembered as Influential Publisher
Olugbemiro, popularly known in media circles as Solkem, also died recently, adding to what ACAMB described as a difficult period for Nigeria’s journalism community.
He was the publisher of Access Weekly and built a reputation for distinctive journalism and a unique professional style. His career earned him recognition among colleagues and industry stakeholders and established him as a familiar figure within Nigeria’s media ecosystem.
ACAMB said his contribution to journalism and publishing reflected decades of commitment to the profession and to the development of the Nigerian media industry.
Sylvester Enoghase Honoured for Business and Labour Journalism
The association also paid tribute to Sylvester Enoghase, Business Editor of Daily Independent Newspapers and a former Labour Editor of the publication.
ACAMB described Enoghase as a “thorough and principled journalist” whose reporting on business and labour issues contributed to public understanding, informed debate and democratic accountability.
His work in economic and labour journalism placed him at the intersection of business, government, workers and the wider Nigerian economy, giving his reporting significance beyond the newsroom.
ACAMB: Deaths Leave Major Void in Media Industry
ACAMB said the deaths of the three journalists within a relatively short period had been deeply felt across Nigerian newsrooms and professional circles.
The association noted that the careers of Oladipo, Olugbemiro and Enoghase represented different but interconnected aspects of the evolution of Nigerian journalism — from traditional newspaper publishing and specialist reporting to the emergence of digital media.
“For ACAMB, the losses represent far more than the passing of accomplished journalists,” the association said, noting that the three men helped shape professional standards, national conversations and the wider media ecosystem.
The association said Oladipo’s career particularly mirrored the transformation of Nigeria’s media industry from conventional newsrooms into the digital publishing era, while Olugbemiro built a respected publishing platform through Access Weekly.
It added that Enoghase’s work in business and labour journalism contributed to a better-informed public discourse on issues affecting companies, workers, government policy and the Nigerian economy.
ACAMB President Pays Tribute
Commenting on the deaths, ACAMB President Babajide Sipe described the losses as painful blows to Nigeria’s media and corporate communications communities.
“The passing of Dotun Oladipo and Sola Olugbemiro is a profound loss to Nigeria’s media and communications industry. Both were builders who dedicated decades of their lives to journalism and played important roles in the growth of Nigeria’s media space,” Sipe said.
He stressed the importance of the relationship between the media and corporate communications professionals, particularly in an environment where businesses and institutions increasingly depend on credible journalism to communicate with stakeholders and the wider public.
“For those of us in corporate communications and marketing, the media remains an indispensable partner in building informed communities and strengthening public discourse,” Sipe said.
He added that Oladipo and Olugbemiro understood that relationship deeply and contributed to the profession through their journalism, leadership and extensive networks across the media industry.
Their Contributions Will Outlive Them — ACAMB
The association said the loss of the three journalists had created a significant void, but their professional legacies would continue to influence Nigerian journalism and publishing.
ACAMB noted that through their reporting, publishing, leadership and professional relationships, the three journalists helped shape national conversations and strengthen the role of the media in Nigerian society.
The association extended its condolences to the families, colleagues, friends and associates of Oladipo, Olugbemiro and Enoghase, as well as the wider Nigerian media community.
It prayed for the families and colleagues of the deceased to find the strength to bear the losses, while stressing that the impact of the three journalists would endure through the people, institutions and professional platforms they helped build.
