Congratulating Tribune

Top: From left, Trustee and Chief Adminstrator, NMMA, Mr. Samuel Akeju, former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, Chairman, ANN PLC, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, acting Chairman, Board of Trustee, NMMA, Dr Haroun Al-Rashid Adamu and Chairman, Panel of Assessor, 2018 NMMA award, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye, during the presentation of 2018 NMMA Platinum Achievement Award to TribuneBelow: From left, Suliamon Olanrewaju, Tribune Group Business Editor, who won the Coca Cola Prize for Brand and Marketing Reporter of the Year, and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma, the winner, Adamu Muazu Prize Tourism Reporter of the Year, at the NMMA event held in Lagos, on Thursday, December 27, 2018. PHOTOS: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Life is a very meaningful phenomenon, but becomes more meaningful when a journey through it become successful and appreciated by humans. A newspaper that has continued functioning for almost seventy (70) years, riding successfully in spite of the odds, uncertainties and unpredictability of business terrain has done so well. It is not an easy feat to accomplish.

Nigerian Tribune is unique by nature. It has survived both as an old newspaper and the fact that it can favourably compete with the newly established newspapers. Since 1949 when it was founded, most newspapers had come and gone but Nigerian Tribune is still operating in full capacity.

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The ebullience of the founder and the staff is still unbeatable. This is one of the reasons, I believe, the paper has kept flourishing. The first time I saw a Nigerian Tribune, I thought it was a copy of the one we used to read in history and government text books save for the newness of the appearance. I never knew that it was still the same Nigerian Tribune founded by the sage, himself, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. It was the date that it was founded, the address and the names  I saw on the list of the board members  that convinced me that it was and it is still the Nigerian Tribune of the old borne out of the vision and the knack for freedom of our nation, progress of the nation  and the enlightenment of her people.

Nigerian Tribune as we all know would have inspired the emergence of some newspapers in Nigeria. If it were a human being, it would be addressed as an uncle, aunty, mama, papa even grand-mama/grand-papa, but even at that, the shine, grandeur and dynamism of a new establishment and armed with the vibrancy and fresh blood of a youth is still very active in business.

Nigerian Tribune is widely read and it operates in neutrality, fairness, equity and justice. We, the readers, who also air our views through it for more enlightenment of Nigerians and the world at large are happy for the Nigerian Tribune, staff, management and board for this award.

We also look forward to the 70th anniversary celebration of the people’s newspaper and probably we, the lovers and well-wishers may also get our own portion of appreciation and recognition.

Chiemela N. Agu,

chibagaila@gmail.com