Nigeria, Nov. 19 -- I've just received news of the death of Dan Agbese whose deputy I was when he was Editor of the defunct New Nigerian in the early eighties. His death at 81 is a huge loss to the country's journalism and punditry.

As my tribute to my former boss and long-time friend, I reproduce below a slightly edited version of the tribute I paid to him when he clocked 70, eleven years ago, plus a telling reaction to the tribute from a reader.

May Dan's gentle soul rest with the Good Lord. And may He also give all of us the fortitude to bear his loss. Amen ------------

An illustrious wordsmith at 70

Yesterday, one of Nigeria's most accomplished journalists and wordsmiths, Daniel Ochima Agbese, clocked 70. He was born on May 20, 19...