The elegant halls of the Eko Hotel and Suites radiated with class and sophistication on Saturday, March 2, 2024, as PUNCH Newspapers held a Black-Tie-Dinner in commemoration of its 50th anniversary.
The dinner saw the esteemed guests dressed to the nine as both male and female guests looked dapper in suits and dresses of different designs.
Amidst the opulent setting, the event provided a golden opportunity for guests to unwind, exchange pleasantries and network in a convivial atmosphere.
Enhancing the ambiance of the venue, a live band serenaded guests with captivating tunes, such as Ayra Starr’s Rush, and Simi’s Joromi, setting the perfect tone for a historic evening.
Underscoring the importance of the event, it was graced by several members of high society, as well as major players from different walks of life.
Delivering a speech at the dinner, a former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, reminisced about his association with the late publisher of the paper, Olu Aboderin, while praising the newspaper’s enduring legacy.
He said, “When he (Aboderin) conceived the idea of PUNCH Newspaper, he discussed it with me. We were a bit idealistic, and it was out of idealism that Olu decided to establish The PUNCH. His objective has been fulfilled. I want you to keep the flag flying. PUNCH has existed for 50 years, and it will continue to exist for another 50 years and beyond.”
One of the highlights of the event was an AI-generated video of the company’s founding chairman making a speech to the awe and admiration of the guests.
Yet another highpoint of the evening was a compelling documentary which showcased the iconic photographs captured by the paper’s dedicated photojournalists over the years, emphasising its rich culture of visual storytelling.
Some of the notable guests at the event were PUNCH’S Chairman Emeritus Ajibola Ogunshola; the paper’s MD Emeritus, Ademola Osinubi; publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, Maiden Ibru; publisher of Thisday Newspaper, Nduka Obaigbena; billionaire businessman and Chairman of Elizade Group of Companies, Michael Ade.Ojo; and the Director-General of the Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri.
Others were a former Minister of Industry, Nike Akande; Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Information, Gbenga Omole; Enugu State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Eze Aka, and Kogi State Commissioner for Information & Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, among the esteemed guests who honored the event with their presence.
Former editors of the paper, such as Martin Ayankola, Bisi Deji-Folutile and Casmir Igbokwe were also in attendance
The event, hosted by popular comedian, Alibaba, was a resounding success, reflecting the unwavering commitment of The Punch newspaper to excellence in journalism over the past five decades.
The dinner was part of a series of weeklong activities, which began on Saturday, February 24, 2024, with a novelty match at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos. The events continued with a three-day photo exhibition, which began on Wednesday, February 28, at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, showcasing 50 of the company’s most iconic pictures; and a public lecture delivered by Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, February 29.
The occasion also marked the 40th anniversary of the demise of the company’s founder, Chief James Aboderin.
