He now goes by the nickname of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. That’s because Ray Ekpu is the only surviving legend of the four legends who founded the legendary 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 Magazine.
This historic magazine, which first hit the newsstands on January 28, 1985, revolutionised Nigerian print media by introducing fearless investigative journalism and bold political analysis, particularly during the country’s turbulent military era.
Without doubt, 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 elevated Nigerian journalism practice to world-class standards.
At its zenith and peak of success, 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 maintained a weekly print run of up to 100,000 copies, shaping national discourse for decades, turning itself into a bible of investigative journalism in Africa and beyond.
In the process, Ray Ekpu, the Editor-in-Chief, was named World Editor of the Year in 1987 by the New York-based World Press Review, “for his courage, leadership, and defence of press freedom”. Known for tackling state corruption and governance failures, 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 frequently clashed with military regimes, culminating in the assassination of Dele Giwa.
I was very privileged to be part of this iconic magazine from the onset, fresh from my NYSC and a stint at The Punch Newspapers. I have devoted one of my bestselling books, AUDACIOUS JOURNALISM [706 pages] to the golden era of 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝. As a matter of fact, AUDACIOUS JOURNALISM is my definition and the succinct synopsis, digest and recap of 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 brand of journalism.
Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, and Yakubu Mohammed, in that order, were the brains behind this epochal international magazine. But providence made sure their time on earth followed a different order.
The magazine’s founding Editor-in-Chief, Dele Giwa, was tragically killed at the age of 39 by a parcel bomb at his Lagos home on Sunday, October 19, 1986, a milestone tragedy in Nigerian media history that remains unsolved. Some 39 years and 29 days later, Dan Agbese, the founding Managing Editor, passed on at the ripe age of 81 in Lagos on Monday, November 17, 2025. Yakubu Mohammed, the founding Executive Editor, also passed away on a Monday, but on January 12, 2026, at the age of 75.
At 78 today, Ray Ekpu is the symbol, reminder and living legend of the best but tempestuous and even bloody days of Nigerian journalism. I called the birthday boss twice today, and he didn’t pick up. But I spoke with him yesterday, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to wish him a Happy Birthday in advance.
He was laughing out in a loud baritone voice about life and spoke with enthusiasm about the new book projects he is embarking on. He told me he would be spending his 78th birthday today with his children and grandchildren in Victoria Island, Lagos.
This is wishing THE LEGEND excellent health, a sound mind and 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬!
