The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and his counterparts in Kogi and Taraba, Ahmed Ododo, and Agbu Kefas, respectively, have congratulated the management and staff of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, on its 50th anniversary.
Founded in March 1973, PUNCH, Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, clocked 50 March 18 last year but its board of directors moved the 50th-anniversary celebration to this year because the anniversary month fell within an election month and year.
Abiodun applauded PUNCH for its many exploits in the Nigerian media industry, in a statement on Monday personally signed by him.
The governor noted PUNCH had been unbiased in its practice of journalism in the last five decades, adding that the brand remained a leading light among various national dailies in the country.
“I join millions of your followers and admirers around the world to congratulate you on this milestone of 50 years in developmental journalism and illumination of the dark sides of our society.
“Without mincing words, your brand is a leading light among various national dailies in Nigeria with a track record of unbiased and ethical journalism based on patriotism and professional sanctity.
“Your contribution to the restoration of democracy in Nigeria is unquantifiable while you stand tall among your equals by your courage and inclination to speak truth to power,” Abiodun said.
Similarly, the Taraba governor, Kefas, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, described PUNCH as a major standard bearer for the journalism profession.
Kefas said, “The PUNCH Newspapers has continued to maintain a steady lead as a dependable news portal and a respectable medium.
“The PUNCH can be trusted and their editorials are very effective. I want to urge practitioners to remain professional in reporting as teachers of the public and wish them well in their business of informing, educating and entertaining the public.”
Kefas noted that PUNCH had worked hard over the years to support the freedom of expression, thereby deepening democratic values.
In the same vein, Kogi governor, Ododo, felicitated the publishers of The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH, and PUNCH Online.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, on Monday, the governor lauded PUNCH for being the bastion of excellence in journalism practice in Nigeria.
Governor Ododo commended PUNCH for its contributions to the survival of democracy and the development of Nigeria by holding the government to account and mobilising the people through education and sensitisation to support government policies and programmes.
“I congratulate the management and staff of PUNCH on the 50th anniversary of the organisation. I am pleased to note that you have been in the newspaper business for over 50 years and counting and I celebrate you on this significant milestone, which has defined the journalism industry in Nigeria.
“As you count down to another 50 years and more, accept the best wishes of the government and people of Kogi and count on our goodwill in the years ahead as partners,” the governor said.
PUNCH’s golden jubilee is being marked with the 40th anniversary of the passing of its founding Chairman, the late Chief James Olubunmi Aboderin, who died on February 28, 1984, at the age of 50.
The activities lined up for the anniversary started on Saturday, February 24, with a colourful novelty match between Team PUNCH and the Nigeria Media XI, a team made up of journalists from other newspaper houses in the country. The match was held at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.
A three-day photo exhibition, as part of the weeklong activities to mark the anniversary, will also begin on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
At the photo-story exhibition holding at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, PUNCH will be showcasing 100 of its iconic photographs that tell the rich history of Nigeria and her people, as well as how the media house has been a major part of the country’s history.
The exhibition will afford PUNCH readers and other Nigerians the opportunity to view the best photographs from its extensive pictorial archive of the biggest news events in the nation’s history.
Some of the photos will show action moments of the late Afrobeat icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, as well as the late human rights activist and lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN).
The high point of the anniversary will be the distinguished public lecture to be held on Thursday, February 29 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos. The lecture is expected to play host to leaders from the public and private sectors. The lecture will be graced by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, among other eminent thought leaders.
The activities will continue on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, where PUNCH will host a black-tie dinner to acknowledge the contributions of its stakeholders to the success of our organisation.
