The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has posthumously honoured late The Guardian war correspondent,Krees Imodibie, in recognition of his sacrifice while covering the Liberian Civil War in 1990.

Presenting the commemorative plaque at The Guardian office in Lagos, Dr Arthur Oghogho Obayuwana, a former Foreign Affairs Editor of the newspaper and current Director of Political Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, said the recognition was intended to acknowledge journalists who risk their lives reporting from conflict zones.

Obayuwana, who received the plaque on behalf of the late journalist before bringing it to the newspaper, said ECOWAS considered it appropriate to recognise Imodibie for his service to humanity and the circumstances surrounding his death while on professional assignment.

The inscription on the plaque reads: “Presented posthumously in recognition of service to humanity while doing Journalistic Duty in Liberia in 1990 and Paying the Supreme Sacrifice. Awarded in Abuja, Nigeria, this 27th day of August, 2026 by the ECOWAS Commission.”

Imodibie was killed while covering the Liberian conflict, during which the regional peacekeeping force, the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), intervened in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s death, Obayuwana said forces belonging to the rebel faction of former Liberian President Charles Taylor were alleged to have been responsible for his killing.

He suggested that the incident might have been an attempt to retaliate against Nigeria, which played a leading role in ECOMOG’s operations, contributing the largest contingent of troops and the biggest financial support towards sustaining the force.

“We learned from the grapevine that this was an attempt to get back at Nigeria,” he said, adding that Taylor, when subsequently confronted during the Liberian peace talks in Abuja, denied responsibility for the journalist’s death.

Obayuwana, who said he did not personally meet Imodibie, recalled descriptions of the late journalist by former colleagues, particularly Camillus Eboh, a former Bureau Chief in Abuja, who had worked with him.

“He described him as a very diligent and passionate journalist, and very fearless,” he said, adding that Imodibie remained committed to his professional responsibility even in dangerous circumstances.

Reflecting on the dangers of conflict reporting, Obayuwana said journalists who cover wars deserve recognition alongside military personnel and other combatants because they equally put their lives at risk in the course of their duties.

“Elsewhere in the world, people celebrate their own heroes, war heroes, not only those who are combatants, but those who report and cover conflicts. They put their lives in danger,” he said.

He described the posthumous recognition as an important encouragement to journalists who continue to work in difficult and dangerous environments, despite the risks associated with their profession.

“It’s to strengthen your heart, to steel your heart, to say kudos, well done. You are not unknown, you are appreciated. The world knows you are making sacrifices,” he said.

Obayuwana added that the recognition should encourage journalists to remain fearless and carry out their responsibilities diligently and professionally, knowing that society appreciates their sacrifices.

The award forms part of ECOWAS’s recognition of individuals whose contributions to its regional peace-making and peace-building efforts deserve acknowledgement. Obayuwana said the plaque was brought to The Guardian because Imodibie worked for the newspaper and died while on active duty as its correspondent.

He disclosed that he had also made efforts to establish contact with the late journalist’s relatives, particularly an uncle who raised him, with a view to ensuring that his family was informed about the recognition.