The Nigeria’s frontline newspapers and online PUNCH Nigeria Limited, is set to celebrate 50th years of establishment, with number of activities already designed for the epoch-making ceremonies scheduled to hold in Lagos.
Penpushing reports that General Manager, Corporate Services of the organization Olufolakemi Gbemuotor made this known in a statement explaining that the 50th anniversary will be marked with the 40th anniversary of the passing of the founding Chairman Olu Aboderin, who died on February 28, 1984 at the age of 50.
The statement said the weeklong celebration will start on Saturday, February 24, 2024 with a novelty match between Team PUNCH and the Nigeria Media XI, a team made up of journalists from other newspaper houses in the country.
Penpushing further reports that the statement added that the novelty match will take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium), Onikan, Lagos Island, adding that both teams will be coached by two former Super Eagles players, Victor Agali and Brown Ideye.
The statement disclosed that effective from Wednesday, February,28, 2024 the media outlet will hold a three-day photo exhibition at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Penpushing also reports that Gbemuotor in the statement said the photo exhibition is to afford Punch Newspapers readers and other Nigerians opportunities to view the best photographs from its extensive pictorial archive of the biggest news events in the nation’s history.
The statement said high point of the anniversary is a distinguished public lecture to be held on Thursday, February 29, at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the lecture expected to play host to leaders from the public and private sectors.
Penpushing reports that the weeklong activities will continue on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, where PUNCH will host a black-tie dinner to acknowledge the contributions of its stakeholders to the success of the organisation.
The Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Angela Emuwa, described the anniversary and her father’s 40th remembrance as an opportunity to celebrate twin milestones, stressing that for over five decades the organization has made tremendous impact in Nigeria
‘For over five decades, PUNCH has made tremendous impact in Nigeria. At a time when we are equally remembering the passing of our founding chairman, it is fitting to look back at those landmark events that have shaped the course of history in our national polity and appreciate those who have stood by us not only in good times but when it was uncomfortable for them to do so’, she said
Penpushing further reports that in his own remarks Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Adeyeye Joseph, described the organisation as a national treasure that had stood with Nigeria through thick and thin, pointing out that the newspaper’s anniversary will be for all Nigerians who believe in the values that PUNCH has consistently espoused over five decades.
‘PUNCH has outgrown its humble beginnings to emerge as a national institution. The celebration of our 50th anniversary is not just an opportunity to wine and dine but a chance to celebrate our excellent heritage and fierce editorial independence’, he said
Penpushing also reports that the statement added that the anniversary’s grand finale is a staff party on March 9,2024 at which current and former staff will be feted for their contributions to PUNCH’s successes.
The statement said a special commemorative anniversary publication to mark the golden jubilee anniversary of the newspaper will also be distributed at some of the events.
Meanwhile, PUNCH, the Publisher of the titles which include, The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH and PUNCH Online, clocked 50 on March 18, 2023, but its board of Directors moved the 50th-anniversary celebration to this year because the anniversary month fell within an election month and year.
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