Dignitaries from all walks of life trooped out on Thursday to celebrate with PUNCH Nigeria Limited as it held a public lecture as part of events marking its 50th anniversary.
Founded in March 1973, PUNCH, Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, clocked 50 on March 18, 2023, but its Board of Directors moved the 50th-anniversary celebration to this year because the anniversary month fell within an election month and year.
The lecture, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, was delivered by the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who spoke on the theme: ‘Recovering the Narrative’.
It was graced by government officials, media executives, captains of industries, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional rulers, present and former employees of the newspaper, among others.
In attendance were top management staff and members of the company’s board, such as Chairman Emeritus, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola; his wife, Mrs Iyabode Ogunsola; the Chairman, Mrs Angela Emuwa; Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr Adeyeye Joseph; Directors, Dr Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi, Omoshalewa Aboderin, Mrs Omowunmi Tunde-Obe, and the immediate-past MD and E-in-C, Mr Ademola Osinubi.
At the opening of the event, Tunde-Obe recited the two stanzas of the national anthem to the admiration of the attendees.
Soyinka was invited to the podium by Aboderin-Talabi, who read his citation, as the compere, Ali Baba, added humour and glamour to the event.
In her welcome address, PUNCH Chairman, Emuwa, noted that 50 years was no mean feat, “and we are grateful to all our long-standing partners and audiences for the journey so far.”
According to her, the title of the lecture is not just a theme, it’s a call to action.
She said, “It is a rallying cry for the media and responsible actors to reclaim their rightful place as the guardians of facts, truth and justice, and the voice of the people.
“This is so because, in a world inundated with information, the power to shape narratives is a formidable responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly.”
She added, “As the most widely-read newspaper in the nation, PUNCH has not only been a witness to history but a key player in shaping narratives.
“Our 50-year resilient is a testament to the power of the press in influencing positive change, upholding the values of democracy, and championing the cause of the people.
“We hope that the impact of our 50-year journey will serve as a source of inspiration to all. We have weathered storms, stood against oppression, and championed the cause of justice, and yet we remain unbowed and unbroken.
“Today, I call upon every one of you to join hands in this crucial mission and stand firm as PUNCH goes into the next 50 years doing what it knows how to do best.”
Emuwa expressed the company’s “deepest gratitude to all our friends who have stood by us over the decades.”
She said, “Your support has been invaluable, and it is your belief in our mission that propels us forward.
“A special acknowledgment goes out to all PUNCHERS, both past and present. You are the heart and soul of this institution. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment have been the driving force behind our success.”
Speaking, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said over the past five decades PUNCH had been a stalwart in journalism, embodying the spirit of integrity and fairness.
Abiodun said the story of PUNCH was that of its founding Chairman, the late Chief James Aboderin, and the legions that had carried on his legacy to date.
“The story cannot be complete without acknowledging the editors, journalists and staff who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to the pursuit of an informed and enlightened society,” he said.
Abiodun also noted that in an era where the media landscape was constantly evolving, PUNCH had consistently adapted, remaining a beacon of reliable information.
“PUNCH Newspaper’s legacy is not only in its longevity but in the impact it has had on shaping the narrative of our nation. Its commitment to investigative journalism and unwavering pursuit of the truth has played a pivotal role in public discourse.
“As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, let us reflect on the power of the press to hold those in power accountable, to give voice to the voiceless and to foster a society built on transparency and accountability,” he said.
The well-attended and colourful event had the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, representing President Bola Tinubu; the Publisher of The Guardian Newspapers Limited, Lady Maiden Ibru; ex-Minister of Industry, Dr Onikepo Akande; ex-Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi; representative of the Delta State Governor, Loveth Idisi; Commissioner for Information, Enugu State, Aka Eze Aka, and a former three-time governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje.
The event also had the wife of ex-Kwara State governor, Mrs Toyin Saraki; Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Ifedola Okupevi, represented by Ven. Adebisi Adebayo; representative of the EFCC Chairman, Mr Micheal Welkast; Senior Special Adviser to the President, Mr. Bayo Onanuga; and the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Debo Ologunagba.
Also in attendance were the Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr Lanre Isa-Onilu; the DG, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo; the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, New Telegraph Newspapers, Mr. Ayodele Aminu; a veteran actress, Mrs. Taiwo Ajayi Lycett; representative of the Taraba State Governor, Emmanuel Bello; former Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare; the Registrar of JAMB, Prof Is’haq Oloyede; the VC, Caleb University, Prof Nosa Owens-Ibie; an official in the office of the High Commissioner of Canada, HE Jamie Christoff; Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani; former Senior Special Assistant to Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu; Provost, NIJ, Mr Gbenga Adefaye; and Executive Director, Media Career Development Network, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin.
Other attendees included the Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali-Biu; Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi; representative of the Chief of Naval Staf, Air Marshall Edward Gabkwet; representative of the Minister of Police Affairs, Bolaji Kazeem;
Others were the Proprietress, Greenwood House School, Ikoyi, Mrs Ekua Abudu-Akinsanya; renowned accountant, Bashorun J.K. Randle; representative of Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall FCS Uwakara; member, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon David Ogunniyi, and Chairman, Sun Publishing, Ms Neya Kalu.
The event was also a reunion of sorts for former employees of PUNCH who also attended. They include the former Editor, The PUNCH, Mr Bola Bolawole; former Editor, The PUNCH/former Provost, NIJ, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye; former Editor, Sunday PUNCH, Casmir Igbokwe; former Editor, The PUNCH, Mr Martin Ayankola; ex-Manager, Training and Language Control, Mr Seth Akintoye; former Chairman, Punch Editorial Board; Mr Segun Adediran; former Editor, Saturday PUNCH; Dr Olabisi Deji-Folutile, former Assistant Editor (Politics), The PUNCH, Semiu Okanlawon; and former Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr Bayo Alabidun; and Mr Muyiwa Adetiba, among others.
The week-long 50th-anniversary celebration and 40th remembrance of the passing of the founding Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, the late Chief Olu Aboderin, began last Saturday with a colourful novelty football match at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.
On Wednesday, a three-day photo exhibition, showcasing iconic photographs from PUNCH’s rich archive, opened at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.
No comments:
Post a Comment