- Describes Him As A Distinguished Diplomat, Journalist And Public Servant
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the weekend, expressed deep sadness over the news of the death of foremost journalist, diplomat, historian, career civil servant and former Group Managing Director/CEO of the Daily Times Newspaper Group, Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole.
Dr Cole, a former Nigeria's envoy to Brazil and Argentina, died on Saturday, October 17, 2026 in London at age 86 after weeks of declining health.
The president in a condolence message on Saturday to the family of the foremost journalist and which was personally signed by him, said he "received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, a distinguished diplomat, journalist, politician, and public servant, who died at 86.
"Ambassador Cole devoted his life to national service, bringing distinction to his work in diplomacy, journalism and politics.
His career reflected the enduring value of dialogue, tact, mutual respect and the pursuit of shared interests in advancing national development and international cooperation.
"His contributions to Nigeria’s media landscape were particularly notable. As Managing Director of the Daily Times, he upheld the vital role of the press in holding public officials accountable, speaking truth to power, and strengthening democratic governance. His legacy in journalism and public life remains an enduring part of our national story.
"At 86, Ambassador Dele Cole witnessed defining moments in Nigeria’s history and contributed to the nation’s development through his work in the media, diplomacy and public service. His life stands as a testament to the value of experience, principled engagement and commitment to the public good.
"As we mourn his passing, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, professional associates and all whose lives he touched. I pray that memories of his remarkable life will bring them comfort and strength at this difficult time.
"May Almighty God grant Ambassador Cole eternal rest and give his family and all who mourn him the fortitude to bear this profound loss.
Dr Patrick Dele Cole was born on August 4, 1940, in Abonnema, in the Kalabari Kingdom of present-day Rivers State, South South, Nigeria. He distinguished himself in journalism, academia, public administration and international diplomacy.
An accomplished scholar, Dele Cole studied at the University of Otago, New Zealand, before proceeding to the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, where he earned a doctorate degree in history. He also served as a fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, and a visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania, United States.
Cole made significant contributions to Nigerian journalism during his leadership at Daily Times Newspaper Group, one of the country's most influential newspaper organisations in the 70s and early 80s, one of the country's most influential newspaper.
He was particularly noted for promoting editorial independence and introducing an editorial board structure that strengthened institutional opinion writing. Cole also facilitated the return to Nigeria of the former Editor-in-chief of Newswatch magazine, Mr Dele Giwa, who was killed in a parcel bomb on Sunday, October 19, 1986 in his house in Lagos while having a breakfast with his magazine's London Bureau Chief, Mr Kayode Soyinka, presently the publisher of UK based Africa Today magazine.
He convinced Giwa to resign his job at the African Desk of the prestigious New York Times Newspaper in America and come back home to join in building a strong media team for the Daily Times Newspaper Group which included late Dr Stanley Macebuh, a former Group Managing Director of the Guardian Newspapers, Prince Tony Momoh, a former Editor of Daily Times Newspaper and ex-Minister of Information in the General Ibrahim Babangida's military government; Chief Alade Odunewu, Peter 'Pan' Enahoro, and Chief Segun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun state and also an ex-Group Managing Director of Daily Times and Sketch Newspapers, among many media intellectuals and newsroom titans of that era.
Despite the federal government's ownership of the Daily Times newspaper at the time, Dr Patrick Dele Cole earned recognition for defending journalist's professional independence and resisting attempts to interfere with editorial decisions.
This was evident in June 1980, when the Second Republic National Assembly Senate and House of Representatives headed by the then Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas and Chief Edwin Umezoke summoned the then editor of the Daily Times newspaper, Chief Tony Momoh to appear before the lawmaker's plenary session to explain why Momoh and his Group Features Editor, Mr Dele Giwa should not be disciplined over a critical article by Giwa who scurrilously castigated the legislators for fixing outrageous salaries and allowances for themselves in the face of economic recession which compelled the then President Shehu Shagari to introduce austerity measures to push back the recession and stabilize the nation's economy.
The House Speaker, late Chief Umezoke, threatened that the National Assembly would not take kindly to any member of the press or the public who criticises the Parliamentarians for any act of misdemeanor or unlegislative conduct. Dele Giwa was trenchant in his criticism of the Assembly men and only woman (Senator Franca Afegbua) when he warned the lawmakers to conduct themselves responsibly before the Nigerian people that voted them.
Mr Giwa specifically warned the House Speaker, Umezoke, to withdraw his offensive comments on the floor of the House of Reps and immediately apologize to the Nigerian people over what he described as "Umezoke's excesses and recklessness ". The American-trained Journalist (Giwa) however warned that the Speaker's threat words were indicative act of "height of recklessness and disrespect" to the Nigerian people, and that the Speaker should "promise never to be excessive in the future".
The Daily Times story against the lawmakers however generated immediate tension in the country and consequently ignited a row and cold war between the parliament and the leadership of Daily Times, which prompted the invitation of the newspaper's Managing Director, Dr Patrick Dele Cole to meet with the top leaders of the National Assembly. At the meeting, Dr Cole swiftly and vigorously defended his newspaper organisation and the editors, and impressed it strongly on the lawmakers, that the independence of the press would not be compromised as the Daily Times was a public trust responsible only to the people of Nigeria.
Dr Cole maintained his position to the lawmakers all through his career in the media, in foreign mission and in the public service and politics, that press freedom is constitutionally non-negotiable.
His career later took him into international diplomacy. Cole, popularly referred to "as the man who smokes big cigars" by his friends and colleagues, served as Special Adviser on International Relations to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and represented Nigeria as Ambassador to Brazil and Argentina. He was also involved in politics and national public discourse.
Even in his later years, Cole remained engaged in discussions about Nigeria's political and institutional development. He consistently advocated principled leadership, accountability, integrity and a stronger commitment to public service.
His death marks the passing of a distinguished Nigerian media legend whose career bridged journalism, scholarship, diplomacy and politics.
Details of his funeral arrangements had not been announced by his family at the time of filing this report. NNL.
