The wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, and elder statesman and Director, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, were among the dignitaries that graced the official commissioning of the Abuja headquarters of ANN Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, on Tuesday.
The edifice, located at Piwoyi, on the Airport Road, within the Federal Capital Development Authority’s designated Educational and Research Area, houses a factory equipped with the latest version of GOS Community Web printing press machine.
The Chairman, ANN Plc, Reverend Omotola Oyediran, and Adebanjo, a chieftain of Afenifere, speaking on the occasion, described Tribune as the oldest independent newspaper that had continued to speak for the voiceless.
Oyediran, while inaugurating the edifice, said the building was a testament to the expansion of the newspaper and an avenue to serve the loyal subscribers better, especially those in the northern parts of the country.
She recalled that ANN Plc was established by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, on November 16, 1949 and had weathered many storms but still standing strong after 68 years.
She said the legacy was sustained by the Co-founder, Chief HID Awolowo, through resilience and doggedness.
Oyediran said: “Our people in the North love Tribune because it is believed that the paper speaks for all Nigerians, from all walks or life.
“We have received many testimonies indicating that many of them see Tribune as their morning ‘cup of tea’, a guide to what is happening politically, educationally and other current affairs, not just for the elite, but for the masses; ‘a voice of the voiceless’.
“Up till now, we were forced to print an early version of the newspaper for circulation in the North, to ensure that the paper arrives as early as possible. Once we begin to print here in Abuja, we can circulate the same version throughout the country.”
The chairman thanked the subscribers and supporters of the newspaper, particularly those who advertise in various titles, including state governments, adding: “We do not take their support for granted.”
Osinbajo, in her remark, said Tribune had survived all odds because it was founded on the foundation of truth, hard work, and contentment, saying “the paper stands to lead in this millennium as it did at inception.
She said: “I have no doubt that we will, particularly as we encourage the next generation to come on board. What we have in Papa and Mama is the legacy and part of the legacy is what we are seeing here today.
“This is the legacy that I am particularly proud of. Papa and Mama stood for vision, having a dream, added hardworking to the dream, added prayer to it and the dream came true.
“The dream is still standing so many years after because of the legacy of faithfulness. If you are handed a job you must be faithful to it.
“Our legacy is contentment. This building was built, according to the management, without borrowing a penny.
“We were instructed to do the best we could with what we have. In spite of the challenges that had faced the Nigerian Tribune titles, in spite of all the issues they have had over the years, they have remained focused, they have continued printing.
“My prayer today is that, that which is handed to us is still working and we will hand it over to our children.”
In his goodwill message, Adebanjo said Tribune stood for the common man of this country.
According to him: “We are the people speaking for the people, the voice of the voiceless. That is why we have to thank God because a lot of newspapers in this country thrive on advertisements.
“At the time we were growing, we grew by the support of the people, we had no advertisement and we were running the paper without borrowing from anywhere.
“It is the policy of our great founder because we know where we stand. I am very happy with the edifice, the staff and management made a lot of sacrifices. This is a newspaper that is not run for profit but to champion the cause of the masses for the oppressed.
“After the death of Mama, people were wondering what will happen to the Tribune but thank God for the leadership he has given for the way you have accommodated everything, it has not been easy I am in a position to understand. I just want to urge you to carry on.”
In his address, the Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, Edward Dickson, said the foundation of the plaza, which he described as Chief (Mrs) Awolowo’s initiative to service the northern part of the country, was laid on September 8, 2015.
Dickson said: “The foundation of the Tribune Plaza was laid on the 8th September 2015 by the chairman of the ANN Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Mrs Omotola Oyediran.
“She stood in for Mama HID Awolowo who was the driving force behind the lofty idea to build a business hub for Tribune that would service the whole of Northern Nigeria, including Abuja.
“Two years after the turning of the sod, here we are gathered for the commissioning of the project. The edifice is a tangible evidence that the living God reigns in our affairs at the Tribune house.”
Dickson noted that with the commissioning, the Tribune titles had earned the status of a national institution firmly rooted in the northern region, adding that the newspaper would continue to, with courage, promote unity in diversity among Nigerians.
He commended members of staff of the company, adding that the plaza was the culmination of years of commitment, loyalty, and sacrifice of the workforce.
Others at the event were the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, represented by Senator Lekan Tejuosho; former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. A. B. O. O. Oyediran; the immediate past Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, ANN Plc, Rev. Sam Adesua; as well as the Consultant/Director and former MD/EIC, ANN Plc, Dr. Segun Olatunji.
Also at the event were the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, represented by SP Aremu; the Chairman, Tribune Shareholders, Alhaji A. Badiru; and the Chief of Piwoyi, Chief John Gata.
Other management staff of ANN Plc at the event were the Controller, Business Development, Ola Oke; Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Debo Abdulai; Editor, Sunday Tribune, Sina Oladeinde; Chief Accountant, Remi Olufisayo; Senior Manager, Advert, Kayode Titiloye; Credit Control Manager, Yinka Oladayo; Manager, Internal Audit, Peculiar Adegbite; Manager, Sales, Dr. Omotayo Lewis; Manager, Policy Implementation, Toyin Ibitunde; General Manager, Online Services, Tinu Ayanniyi; Group Business Editor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju; General Manager, Abuja Office, Chris Agbambu; and the Abuja Bureau Chief, Taiwo Adisa.
