The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has joined individuals, professional bodies and organisations across Nigeria in mourning the deaths of two respected figures in the nation’s media, veteran journalist and Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo; Publisher of Access Weekly, Sola Olugbemiro, popularly known as Solkem and the Business Editor of Daily Independent Newspaper, Sylvester Enoghase.
Oladipo, who was also the Chief Executive Officer of Premium Eagle Media Limited, and former Political Editor of PUNCH Newspapers, died on Tuesday, 25th August 2026, at the age of 56, following a sudden illness in Lagos. He played an important part in the development and professionalisation of the country’s online publishing industry, and held sway as the President, of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, where he served as president from 2017 to 2021. His influence extended far beyond the positions, he held and the organisations he led.
Olugbemiro, widely known across the industry as Solkem, also passed on recently, adding to a difficult season for Nigeria’s media community. While in service, he distinguished himself as an outstanding journalist who earned accolades across the industry for his unique style.
Enoghase, was also the labour editor at Daily Independent Newspapers, as a “thorough and principled journalist” whose coverage of business and labour issues promoted more informed public debate and strengthened democratic accountability.
All three, gave decades of service to journalism and publishing, and their deaths within a short period have been felt keenly across newsrooms and professional circles.
For ACAMB, the two losses represented far more than the passing of accomplished journalists. Oladipo was a significant voice in Nigerian media whose career mirrored the profession’s own journey from the traditional newsroom to the digital era, while Olugbemiro built a respected platform in Access Weekly and remained a familiar and dependable presence in the industry. Together, they reflected the commitment and craft that shaped a generation of Nigerian journalism.
Beyond their work as publishers, both men played important parts in the development of the country’s media and online publishing, an influence that reached well past the titles they held and the organisations they led. Since their deaths, tributes have continued to pour in torrents from as across the country celebrating both veterans as dependable professionals and committed journalists, who gave much to the growth of Nigerian media.
Commenting on the losses, the President of ACAMB, Babajide Sipe, described them as painful blows to the media and communications community.
“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. “For those of us in corporate communications and marketing, the media remains an indispensable partner in building informed communities and strengthening public discourse. They understood this relationship deeply and contributed immensely to the profession through their work, their leadership and their relationships across the media industry.”
The Association noted that while their deaths left a considerable void, their contributions to journalism and publishing would endure as part of the industry’s story. Through their work, their leadership and their steady commitment to the profession, they helped shape national conversations and strengthen the place of the media in society.
ACAMB extended its deepest condolences to the families, colleagues, friends and associates of Dotun Oladipo and Sola Olugbemiro, and to the entire Nigerian media community, and prayed for the fortitude to bear the losses. Their impact will continue to speak through the people, the platforms and the professional community they helped build.
