Punch Place: Akunyili, Daniel task media on 2011 polls

By Clifford Ndujihe
From the lips of Minister of Information, Professor  Dora Akunyili, Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and other eminent Nigerians, it was eulogies galore yesterday for The Punch Newspapers.

The personalities which included leading players in the media industry, Chief sOlusegun Osoba, Prince Tony Momoh, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chiefs Ayo Adebanjo and Albert Horsefall spoke at the opening of The Punch’s N5 billion headquarters, Punch Place, at Kilometre 14, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

The dignitaries commended Punch for championing the cause of the citizenry in the last 40 years. However, they tasked the newspaper and the media industry on upholding professionalism, ethics of journalism and reportage that would lead to peaceful and credible polls in 2011.

Akunyili noted the numerous battles the paper had fought and was still fighting to “uphold the values of democracy and free enterprise.”

Her words: “During the heady days of military rule in the country, The Punch was one of the papers proscribed, but it survived and even became a stronger and better newspaper. I am also conscious of the fact that the paper has always stood on the side of the oppressed.”

As the 2011 polls draw nearer, the minister called on the media to uphold the ethics of journalism. “I expect Punch Newspapers, as one of the oldest in the country, to show the way in accurate reportage, shun sensationalism and ensure that all sides are given fair-hearing and uphold other ethics of the profession.”

Akunyili also warned media owners on the dangers of poor pay for workers. “The dangers of poor remuneration to journalists are quite obvious. This is a challenge to industry operators.”

Ogun State Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Abayomi Majekodunmi, spoke in like manner. He commended the paper for partnering with the state government and urged lasting co-operation to improve the polity.

Osoba hails Punch

Osoba, immediate past governor of Ogun State, who approved the 10 hectares land for Punch when he was in power, commended the paper for weathering the storm in the last 40 years and helping to realise the dream of industrialising the state.

Osoba said he expressly approved the Punch application for land and another 20 hectares for Journalists’ Estate to realise the idea of creating “a Fleet Street in Ogun State as we have abroad. Today, Ogun State is becoming the headquarters of Pentecostalism.”

He said that Punch had come a long way and recalled the struggling years of the paper, when it started from a warehouse, the managers could not pay staff salaries regularly and buy newsprint, and at a stage had to take donations of newsprint from the Daily Times.

Osoba tasked the paper to remain people-oriented.

At the event, Punch Chairman, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, commended past and present staff and directors  of the organisation, including the founding Managing Editor, Mr. Sam Amuka, for making the paper what it is today.

He assured that Punch would continue the crusade for the enthronement of an egalitarian society and tasked the National Assembly on the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill.

Ogunsola added that Punch  will continue to push for the passage of a true Freedom of Information Bill as a major armour in the fight against corruption.