Dele Giwa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sumonu Oladele Giwa
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| Born | 16 March 1947 Ile-Ife, British Nigeria
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| Died | 19 October 1986 (Age 39) |
| Cause of death | Mail bomb explosion |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Education | Brooklyn College, New York City Fordham University |
| Occupation | Journalist,Editor And a Publisher. |
| Known for | Newswatch |
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Notable work
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Founder of Newswatch magazine |
| Spouse(s) | Florence Ita Giwa (1980s; divorced) Olufunmilayo Olaniyan (1984-1986; his death) |
| Children | 5 |
Dele Giwa (born March 16, 1947 – died October 19, 1986) was a famous Nigerian journalist. He was also an editor and the person who started Newswatch magazine. He is remembered for his brave journalism and for how he died.
Contents
Becoming a Journalist
Early Life and Education
Dele Giwa was born on March 16, 1947. His family worked for the Oba (King) of Ife, Adesoji Aderemi. He went to school in his hometown, Ile-Ife. Later, he moved to the United States for his higher education.
He studied English at Brooklyn College and graduated in 1977. He also started a graduate program at Fordham University. After his studies, he worked for The New York Times for four years. Then, he returned to Nigeria and joined Daily Times.
Starting Newswatch Magazine
In 1984, Dele Giwa teamed up with other talented journalists. These included Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, and Yakubu Mohammed. Together, they founded Newswatch magazine. The very first issue came out on January 28, 1985.
Newswatch quickly became very popular. It changed how news was reported in Nigeria. The magazine was known for its bold and in-depth investigations. It brought a new style of journalism to the country.
Personal Life
Dele Giwa was married three times. His first marriage was to an American nurse in 1974. His second marriage was to Florence Ita Giwa, but it lasted only 10 months. On July 10, 1984, he married Olufunmilayo Olaniyan. They were married until his death in 1986. Dele Giwa had five children.
His Tragic Death
The Incident
Dele Giwa died on October 19, 1986. He was killed by a parcel bomb at his home in Ikeja, Lagos. He was in his study with a colleague, Kayode Soyinka, when the package exploded. The explosion seriously injured Dele Giwa. He was rushed to the hospital but sadly passed away from his injuries.
Before the Incident
Just two days before his death, Dele Giwa had been questioned by officials from the State Security Service (SSS). He had written an article that discussed the country's economy. The SSS officials wanted to talk to him about it.
Later, he was also questioned by military intelligence officials. They asked him about claims of arms importation. Dele Giwa was worried about these accusations. He spoke to friends who were government ministers about his fears. They tried to reassure him that everything would be fine.
The Delivery
On the morning of October 19, a package was delivered to Dele Giwa's house. His guard received it and then gave it to Dele Giwa's son, Billy. Billy said the package had the official seal of the Nigerian Coat of Arms. He also mentioned that his father had received official letters before. When Dele Giwa opened the package, it exploded.
Dele Giwa's death was a very shocking event in Nigeria. It raised many questions and remains a significant moment in the country's history.
See also
- List of unsolved murders
