The founder and managing editor of Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, has died at the age of 56.

The veteran journalist died on Tuesday after suddenly falling sick.

Mr Oladipo, a former Politics Editor at The Punch, reportedly appeared to be in good health before falling unexpectedly ill.

The deceased was a former president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

The current GOCOP president, Danlami Nmodu, confirmed the ex-president’s death on the guild’s WhatsApp platform.

“It has just been confirmed that Emeritus President, Mr Dotun Oladipo, died today. May his soul rest in peace. Amen,” the guild president stated. 

Lanre Ogundipe, a former president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the African Union of Journalists (AUJ), described the deceased as “a man of substance, professional resilience and quiet conviction”.

“What a nightmare! What an unbelievable loss. The news of Dotun Oladipo, popularly called DOT by friends, at 56, left me shocked and deeply saddened. Some departures come without warning and leave the living struggling for words,” Mr Ogundipe stated.

“Dot was a committed journalist and publisher, a man whose professional journey spanned the traditional newsroom and the emerging digital media space. His work, memories and contribution remain,” he said.

In his tribute, Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore described Mr Oladipo as a gentleman and an accomplished journalist.

“A complete gentleman, accomplished digital journalist, and remarkable human being, Dotun Oladipo, has passed away,” Mr Sowore said in a Facebook post.

“My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire community of digital journalists in Nigeria. May Dotun Oladipo rest in power!” he added.