By Egufe Yafugborhi

WARRI—NEWSPAPER vendors in Delta State have pledged their commitment to place Vanguard newspapers as number one in the competition among newspapers sold in the state, describing the newspaper as a pride to them and readers.

President, Newspapers Distributors Association of Nigeria, Warri chapter, Lucky Baron, gave the assurance, yesterday at the Warri newspapers depot, Effurun, where they hosted a delegation of Vanguard’s management.

The interactive session was on improving mutual benefits between both parties in the distribution and sale of Vanguard newspapers in Warri and environs.

Vanguard’s Assitant General Manager, Mr Fred Odueme, at the meeting, urged the vendors to take appropriate measures, including employing bank payments, to reduce delay in remittance of sales for supplies made to them.

Odueme, who acknowledged the contribution of vendors to the pride of place Vanguard occupies in the psyche of Delta readers, said: “We must both assume ownership of this business.

“We produce and you sell. If the bulk of sales are hanging in the air, it is a threat to remaining in business. If we don’t get the returns to buy newsprint, we can’t produce. If we can’t produce, you won’t have newspapers to sell. So, we must collectively take proactive measures to guard against this challenge.”

In reaction, the association’s president, Baron, said: “Vanguard is our pride in content and it is distributor friendly. It is number one and we have in no small measure contributed to placing it there.

“We pledge continued commitment to this business relationship. On our part, we will continue to try our best in ensuring payments for supplies. Only recently, we imposed sanctions against defaulting members in this regard.”

Also on the Vanguard delegation at the meeting were Mr Emeka Nkwocha, Advert Manager and Temisan Pemu, Circulation Manager.