Chairman THISDAY-ARISE Media Group, Mr Nduka Obaigbena at the weekend, declared that THISDAY Alumni Association was toeing the path charted by political titans like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Olusegun Osoba, among others, who branched from journalism to public service.
He made the assertion in Abuja, when 13 members of the association were presented with plaques for distinguished public service.
He recalled that about 5,000 people had passed through THISDAY since the newspaper was established over 25 years ago.
Obaigbena, who was President of Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, described as a fitting tribute to the public trust bestowed in the alumni that 66 of them had been given political appointments over the years.
“It is a privilege and also humbling to see the Alumni of THISDAY get together and match towards old age. That 66 of you have had political appointment is a fitting tribute to the public trust that you hold.
“We are just following the path of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, LK Jakande, Bisi Onabanjo, Segun Osoba and co, who moved from journalism to public service. And were all due to continue to serve for the sake of Nigeria.
“We are proud of the work you are doing and support the social services that you are doing for yourselves. As was said, we have produced ambassadors, ministers and MD of a bank and all that stuff.
“That is a testament to the hard-work we are doing at THISDAY and Arise and all the media groups under our belt. We will continue to do our best for Nigeria.
“In the last election, the spokesman for Atiku was THISDAY, the spokesman for Tinubu was THISDAY, the two APC leading spokesmen were THISDAY, the PDP leading spokesmen were THISDAY. And we stayed neutral,” Obaigbena said.
He charged the Alumni to promote good governance for the people and as a duty ensure that democracy stabilises with the advent of a new government following the election.
In his remarks, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, applauded Obaigbena for championing many innovations in the Nigerian media landscape.
“I thank you for everything you have done for journalism. There are so many firsts that you have championed and this is not the first one.
“I am not aware of any other media organisation that has this alumni association. May be there are, and even if there are, this is an alumni association with a difference,” Idris said.
He also urged media practitioners to do their job the way it ought to be done.
The minister said criticism of government should be done objectively and factually, adding that freedom of expression should also come with own responsibility.
According to him, “You can’t have freedom when that freedom is also infringing on other people’s freedom. As the minister of Information, I am always an advocate of the media playing its job the way it should be.
“It is important that the media holds government accountable, nobody can take that away. But it’s also very important that all media practitioners have this enormous responsibility to ensure that whatever they report goes a long way in bringing us together and not in diving us, ” Idris said.
Earlier, President of THISDAY Alumni, Dr, Tony Onyima, said the association was formed in June 2020 as a social cum professional body dedicated to the promotion of friendship, fellowship, professionalism, media innovation and welfare of members.
He said the association carefully chose 13 of its members, who displayed unwavering commitment, dedication, and integrity in their respective roles and service, thus making a significant impact and contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and development.
“Their experiences, expertise and leadership have undoubtedly shaped our nation and inspired future generations. To the honourees, we want to express our deepest admiration and respect.
“Your commitment to the greater good and untiring efforts make all of us proud to call our fellow alumni. Tonight, we celebrate you and your outstanding achievements,” Onyima, who was also one of the awardees, said.
Other recipients were former Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi; former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Thailand, Oma Djebah; MD News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Ali M. Ali; DG National Orientation Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu; former Executive Secretary Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Waziri Adio; Enugu State Commissioner of Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Dr. Malachy Agbo and PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan.
There were also a presidential aide, Tunde Rahman; former Personal Assistant on Photography to President Buhari, Sunday Aghaeze; Director, Corporate Affairs Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pius Ughakpotemi; former Chief Press Secretary to Ogun State Governor, Kunle Somorin and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate, Alhaji Yusuf Olaniyonu.
The occasion had in attendance the President of NIJ, Chris Isiguzo; President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anana and Managing Director of THISDAY, Eniola Bello.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
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