Nigerian journalism has lost one of its titans. The doyen, Hadj Alade Odunewu (better known as Allah-Dey), died this evening after a long battle with age-related sickness.

“He died this afternoon and will be buried tomorrow according to Islamic rites,” a source told News Express.

The source said that the veteran journalist and newspaper manager had been in hospital for about a month and died at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, adding that he would be buried at Oke Sunna, Lagos.

Contacted for his reaction, Mr. Taiwo Obe, Founder/Manager of Everything Journalism, said: “Is he dead? Oh my God!”

Hadj Odunewu who for years wrote the popular newspaper column Allah-De, was aged 85. His 80^th birthday was celebrated with pomp on November 20, 2007 with activities that included the re-launch the second edition of his book, Winners Take All, a collection of his writings in his Allah-Dey column.

A completely fulfilled journalist, Hadj Odunewu picked interest in the profession at an early age wanting to write like the great Nnamdi Azikiwe and Anthony Enahoro. As a journalist, he rose from reporter/sub-editor in the Daily Times in 1950 to Group Publications Controller in 1979. He once famously said: “I will remain a journalist if I come back into the world.”

•Photo shows late Hadj Alade Odunewu.