Tribune has done well over the years —Oyo CP

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Sam Adegbuyi, has commended the management and staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles for its uprightness, professionalism and objectivity in disseminating information to the public, even as he paid glowing tributes to the founder of the organisation, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for his vision and establishment of the Nigerian Tribune.

The police boss gave the commendation on Thursday, when he led other senior officers of the state police command on a courtesy call to the Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He lauded the management of the organisation for the continuous relevance of the newspaper and its contribution to the growth of the country through its objective reportage.

Adegbuyi, who assumed duty as the new Oyo CP in August, said the sustenance of the organisation for more than 60 years showed that its successive management must have placed premium on truthful and objective dissemination of information, adding that “for this newspaper to remain relevant, not only in Nigeria but globally despite the many challenges it has weathered through, it shows that the management over the years have done very well.”

While seeking for the continued relationship between Tribune and the police in the state, Adegbuyi acknowledged the role of the media in the successful running of any organisation, adding that no organisation can survive without the media.

“If there is any day that I am not privileged to read Tribune, I always feel like I have missed my breakfast, lunch and dinner for that day.  The problem most organisations have is transitional problem and I am happy that this has not affected the Tribune newspaper over the years.”

According to him, as the police are relevant to security, so also is information gathering and effective dissemination by the media. “We want the working relationship between the police and the Tribune to continue. We believe that the synergy between the police and the media could be further strengthened by our closeness and familiarity,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the management, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of ANN Plc, Mr Edward Dickson, charged the police boss to focus on community policing, which according to him, would help in reducing the rate of crime in the society.

According to him, effective community policing would contribute to curbing crimes and other vices in the society, adding that with the help of the media in covering the events of the police and disseminating the information to the people, the community would remain a safe place for the people.