Abbas, Moghalu, Akinyemi, congratulate Tribune at 75, hail Awolowo’s foresight

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, on Sunday, congratulated the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, on its 75th anniversary.

The Speaker, who described Tribune as a legacy newspaper, noted the impact of the media outfit in Nigeria in the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras, especially in the old Western Region and the current South-West geopolitical zone.

Abbas hailed the foresight of Chief Awolowo in venturing into the media space, saying several politicians like him have followed the example.

While commending the Awolowo family for sustaining the legacies of their patriarch, the Speaker extended his congratulations to the management of ANN Plc for keeping the flag flying.

Noting the newspaper’s invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, Abbas urged the Tribune titles to continue to uphold the ethics and qualities of good journalism in the country.

Similarly, president, African School of Governance, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has congratulated the Nigerian Tribune on its 75th anniversary.

The former deputy Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, in a statement read in part: “That the Tribune, established in 1949, is the only newspaper of the pre-independence era that is still in business today, is a testament to the great newspaper’s resilience, continuing relevance to the needs of the reading public, and the sagacity of its owners and management.

“I read the Tribune frequently, and I am pleased to say that it continues to offer much value as a newspaper. And I am proud of the leadership demonstrated by its current Chairperson, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu.”

Meanwhile, former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi says that the Nigerian Tribune has kept faith with the vision of The Founder, Obafemi Awolowo.

While speaking with Nigerian Tribune in commemoration of its 75th anniversary, the Ex-DG Nigerian Institute of International Affairs noted that is a newspaper of conviction and truth, confident of speaking truth to power and always taking principled position.

Professor Akinyemi, who hinted that he is just seven years older than the Newspapers, recalled his father talking about the truthfulness of the newspapers.

According to him, “My father was a member of the Action Group and he usually says “If you want principled newspapers that stick to the truth, get the Nigerian Tribune and that stuck with me.”

Akinyemi noted people talk about Nigerian Tribune’s journalists as being stubborn, and bold.

“Nigerian Tribune Newspapers has kept faith with vision of its Founder. It is a newspaper of conviction and truth.

“The Nigerian Tribune at 75 is not easy for me to comment on because I am only seven years older than the Nigerian Tribune.

“When I was young, I did not know much about Tribune. But I come from a political family.

“My father was a member of the Action Group and he usually said, ‘If you want a principled newspaper that sticks to the truth, get the Nigerian Tribune’. So, that stuck with me.

“As I was getting older, I got to understand that that it is the legacy of this newspaper.

“It is not afraid to speak truth to power. It is not afraid to take principled positions.

“My father was a committed disciple of Chief Awolowo. I got close to Papa and Mama Awolowo. So, I congratulate Tribune at 75.

“Those of us who read Tribune regularly are proud to say that if we have not read the paper a day, we don’t feel good. That is not to say we agree to all they say,” he said.

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