Encomiums as Obasanjo, Adedoyin, Ade-Ojo, envoys, others grace PUNCH 50th anniversary dinner

The red carpet was rolled out over the weekend as PUNCH Nigeria Limited celebrated its 50th anniversary with a black-tie dinner. Oluwakemi Abimbola writes on some of the highlights of the evening

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, founder of Doyin Group of Companies, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, Founder and Chairman of Elizade Group of Companies, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries lauded PUNCH Nigeria Limited, the publishers of The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH, and PUNCH Sports Extra, at its 50th anniversary dinner on Saturday.

At the dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary celebration of PUNCH Nigeria Limited at the EKO Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, it was all glitz and glamour with many dignitaries in attendance.

The atmosphere was one of understated elegance pulled together by special lighting, sophisticated decor, flowers and more inside the hall where the dinner took place, preceded of course by cocktails.

Even before guests stepped into the hall especially curated for their enjoyment, the walk down the red carpet allowed them to step back in time to the early days of our brand.

On either side of the red carpet, they could feed their eyes on the first editions of our publications, the stories that captivated the attention of our readers over 50 years ago, the evolution of our logos, our founder, Chief James Olu-Aboderin, our Board of Directors, our management team, some of our iconic covers, pictures over the years and more.

From feeding the eyes, our guests were treated to a variety of sumptuous meals served buffet style, wines, and drinks. Let’s just say they were spoilt for choice as the flow of food and drinks never stopped.

As our guests enjoyed their meals, they were serenaded by a live band and of course, there was DJ Electra on standby to provide beautiful music for the occasion.

During the evening’s proceedings, guests got a chance to see just how far PUNCH newspapers had transformed over the years and its devotion to innovation through an Artificial intelligence-generated video of our founder, Olu-Aboderin, who called on stakeholders to continue to work together to ensure the sustainability of the business in the decades ahead.

They also got a chance to hear from the persons who had front-row seats in shaping the narrative of the company through the documentary.

The dinner event which was anchored by veteran comedian, Ali Baba and our very own, Melony Ishola, provided family and friends an opportunity to celebrate with the PUNCH Nigeria Limited family as well as catch up with each other.

The Aboderin family members were present at the event dressed glamourously as it also marked the 40th anniversary of the death of the PUNCH Newspapers founder.

Some of our directors present include Chairman, Mrs Angela Emuwa, Chairman emeritus, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, Mrs Wunmi Tunde-Obe, Mrs Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi and Mrs Omoshalewa Aboderin-Olubusi, MD Emeritus, Sir Ademola Osinubi and their spouses, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, Chief Mrs Iyabo Ogunshola, Mr Tunde Obe, Dr Michael Talabi; Prince Adegoke Olubusi and Mrs Wemimo Osinubi.

Both current and past editors of The PUNCH and our Weekend titles, who have worked hard over the years to sustain the brand and build on the ideals of the founder, were also present with their spouses and of course, they got their due recognition during the cake-cutting ceremony.

The editors include emeritus Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director, Mr Ademola Osinubi; current Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director; Adeyeye Joseph, General Manager, Digital & Publication; Ademola Oni, ex-Editor, The PUNCH; Gbemiga Ogunleye; another former Editor, The PUNCH, Steve Ayorinde; ex-Editor, Saturday PUNCH; Obafemi Obadare; ex-Editor, Saturday PUNCH, Bisi Deji-Folutile; former Editor of The PUNCH, Bola Bolawole.

Others are former Acting Editor; Saturday PUNCH; Emeka Madunagu; former Editor, The PUNCH; Martin Ayankola; ex-Editor, The PUNCH, Alhaji Nojeem Jimoh; ex-Editor of Sunday PUNCH, Casmir Igbokwe, current Editor, The PUNCH, Adedayo Oketola and current Editor of Weekend titles, Olusola Fabiyi.

Founded in March 1973, PUNCH, Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, clocked 50 on March 18 last year but its board of directors moved the 50th-anniversary celebration to this year because the anniversary month fell within an election month and year.

The weeklong 50th-anniversary celebration began with a colourful novelty football match at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.

On Wednesday, a three-day photo exhibition, showcasing iconic photographs from PUNCH’s rich archive, opened at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.

On Thursday, Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, delivered the anniversary lecture titled: ‘Recovering the Narrative’ during which he said previous national conferences organised to address the challenges facing Nigeria were deceitful, describing them merely as exercises held to pacify aggrieved Nigerians.

Soyinka also called for decentralisation to address food insecurity and lack of productivity among the citizenry.

“We speak about food hunger because it is real. But palliatives are temporary stop-gap policies. They do not reach the heart of the problem. This is why we need to decentralise development as massively as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cadbury Nigeria Plc has congratulated PUNCH Nigeria on its 50th anniversary.

The congratulatory message signed by Head, Corporate and Government Affairs, West Africa, Frederick Mordi, read, “On behalf of the management and staff of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, I write to congratulate you and your team on the 50th Anniversary of The Punch Newspapers. The Punch has consistently demonstrated courageous and objective journalism that has earned it several accolades, including the more recent ‘Newspaper of the Year Award’ at the 31st edition of the Nigeria Media Merit Award and ‘Newspaper of the Year’ at 32nd Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.

“In a clime where the traditional media have had to contend with high operating cost, dwindling advertising revenues, and declining readership owing to the intense competition from the

social media, it is gratifying to note that The Punch has been able to reinvent itself and reinforce its position as one of the leading newspapers in the country. It is my hope that the publication will continue to maintain the high standards it has attained in the industry with its incisive reporting, in-depth editorials on national issues, and robust investigative journalism that it is known for.”

The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described The PUNCH as a successful organisation while ascribing its feat to hard work, dedication and commitment.

She said, “It is not easy being 50 years old as a successful organisation. It calls for celebration. I can only wish PUNCH another fifty and many more years of eternal success. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment. Moreso, in a social media world where news and instant social media handles and videos. So continue the hard work. With a sense of dedication, with a sense of fairness in everything that we do, we can criticise but we should criticise constructively.”

The lead pastor of the Trinity House Church, Lagos, Ituah Ighodalo, who spoke on the red carpet lauded The PUNCH for its consistency, longevity and sustainability.

He said, “I enjoy reading PUNCH. What is very critical about PUNCH is your consistency, longevity, sustainability and of course, I know that you are quite profitable and you are probably the widest circulating Newspaper in Nigeria today. So, you must appeal to a particular audience that finds you very readable. I want to congratulate you on 50 years of consistent publishing and being the widest-circulating newspaper in Nigeria. I want to congratulate you on weathering the storms and not getting involved in too much controversy.”

Some of the dignitaries present at the dinner include the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, founder of Doyin Group of Companies, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, Founder and Chairman of Elizade Group of Companies, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas who was represented by Honourable Akin Rotimi, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade and former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

Also present at the dinner were Ms Mariana Larralde and Mr Michael Ervin of the US Consulate and Publisher, The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; media personality, Yemi Shodimu; Managing Director of SAHCO, Adenike Aboderin, who was represented by Vanessa Uansohia; the Director of Press, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Tony Ogunleye; representative of the US Consulate in Lagos State, Temitayo Famutimi; General Manager and Group Head, Business Development of BUA Groups, Tajudeen Ahmed; former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Steve Ayorinde; Chief Press Secretary of Independent National Electoral Commission, Rotimi Oyekanmi; Deputy General Manager, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Rotimi Aderemi; representative of SBI Media Group, Rotimi Bankole; President, Association of Corporate Affairs Manager of Banks, Rasheed Bolarinwa; representative of Globacom Nigeria Limited, Rasaq Asaju; representative of United Bank for Africa, Ramon Nasir; representative of Resource Integrated, Professor Adeniyi Osunlogun; Professor Kayode Odusote; Professor Bose Afolabi; Partner, Babalakin and Co., Professor Bayo Adaralegbe; Prince Goke Olubusi.

Others include CEO, Livewell Initiative, Pharm Bisi Bright; representative of Gaia Africa, Oshisanya Tai; representative of Bi-Courtney Aviation, Oluremi Jibodu; Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank, Olufunmilola Aluko; Senior Manager, KPMG Advisory Services, Olawunmi Olaitan; Lanre Idowu; Director, International Press Center, Lanre Arogundade; Chairman, Daily Trust, Kabiru Yusuf; the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jamie Christoff; The Chief Missioner of NASFAT Worldwide, Imam AbdulAzeez Onike; Special Adviser on Information to Ondo State Governor, Gbenga Omole; Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho; Gbemiga Ogunleye; representative of US Consulate, Brittaney Orange; President, Nigeria Institute of Building, Bldr. (Sir) Alderton Ewa; Consul General of Sierra Leone High Commission in Nigeria, Beatrice Kallay; Chairman, All Progressive Grand Alliance, Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa; Chairman, JK Randle Professional Services, Bashorun J. K. Randle.

Registrar and CEO, ISCAN, Babatunde Okuneye; Head, Business Development, Development Bank of Nigeria, Ayodele Ojosipe; representative of Nigeria LNG Limited, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Ali Ali; Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, Enugu State Governor represented by Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, Head, Corporate Communications, Bi-Courtney Aviation, Ajoke Olawuyi; representative of the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Hammed Audi, Afuye Toyin; and President and Chairman of Council of Chartered Institute of Administration, Adm. Festus Oshoba, were also present.

Others were CEO, Slot Group, Nnamdi Ezeigbo; Publisher, Thisday, Nduka Obaigbena; Ex-PUNCHERs, Nazeem Jimoh; Muyiwa Adetiba, Head of Training and Assistant Director, Industrial Training Fund, Mrs Oluwastosin Akinbola; Mr Yemi Candide-Johnson; Managing Director, Haven Homes, Mr. Tayo Sonuga; Managing Director, SCIB Insurance Brokers, Mr. Solanke Ogunlana; Executive Secretary, Newspaper Proprietor’s Association of Nigeria, Mr. Feyi Smith; Mr. Femi Talabi; Mr. Emeka Emuwa; Chairman, Insurance Warehouse, Mr Bola Adewale; Lagos State Police PRO, Mr.Benjamin Hudeyin; Mr Tade Ogidan; representative of Globacom Nigeria, Mr. Adewale Sangowawa; representative of US Consulate, Michael Eruin.

Director, Media and Advocacy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Femi Babafemi; Group CEO. Denstu Limited, Emeka Okeke; President/GCEO, Transcorp Plc, Dr. Owen Omogiafo; Head, Occupational Health and Safety Unit, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Festus Adetonwa; CPS, Bayelsa State Government, Daniel Alabrah; CEO, Elof Hannson A.B Sweden (Nigeria), Chief Olayinka Ogunmekan; Chief Mrs. Iyabo Martins-Kuye; Associate Director, Blue Print Newspaper, Chidinma Avera; Deputy Vice President, Herds Energy, Charles Aigbe; Team Lead, Media and Internal Communications, Fidelity Bank, Adebowale Banzi; Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Abubakar Wali; Representative of Coscharis, Abiona Babarinde; Air Officer Commander representing Air Marshal H.B Abubakar, Nigerian Airforce, Abdullahi A.Y.; Chairman, New Nigeria People’s Party, Abba Kawu Ali; Dame Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Aare Ona Kankafo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams among many other personalities were also present at the classy dinner.