Eminent Nigerians on Sunday graced the 60th birthday thanksgiving service in honor of the Chairman of THISDAY Newspaper, Arise magazine and Arise TV, Nduka Obaigbena. Among dignitaries at service held at the Church of Christ Cathedral, Lagos, were Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu; Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi; former of Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anyaoku; Chairman, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; business mogul, Adekunle Ojora, and his wife, Erelu Ojuolape; Founder, Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko; former Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; and CEO, Nigeria Export Processing Council, Segun Awolowo, Jnr.
Others include former Foreign Affairs Minister and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia; former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Emeka Onwuka; prominent Lagos politician, Jimi Agbaje; and Publisher, Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah. Also present were the Managing Director of THiISDAY, Eniola Bello; Deputy Managing Director, THISDAY, Kayode Komolafe; Publisher of the Source Magazine, Comfort Obi; prominent Borno politician, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam; and former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari and Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki on Saturday in Abuja joined the media industry to celebrate Nduka Obaigbena, on the occasion of his 60th birthday Sunday. Buhari, in his congratulatory message, described Obaigbena as an outstanding media entrepreneur. He hailed THISDAY publisher for his visionary and adventurous leadership style of establishing trademark communication outfits that have remained exceptional in informing Nigerians about the world around them, and educating the world about Nigeria.
In the statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, Buhari also saluted Obaigbena’s courage in assembling a team of brilliant journalists and administrators, who started THISDAY newspaper, and the groundbreaking strides they have made. The statement added that as a journalist, columnist, publisher, and President of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Buhari believed that Obaigbena’s patriotism was exemplary, especially in view of the maturity and the balance NPAN had brought to traditional media at a time the social variant ran riot round the world. Describing Obaigbena as an “ideas’ man,” Buhari felicitated with his family, friends and professional colleagues, wishing him longer life, good health and prosperity.
On his part, Gov. Obaseki, in a statement, said, “On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I congratulate veteran journalist and publisher, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, who clocks 60 on July 14. He has contributed immensely to the development of the country through innovations in journalism and his enterprising spirit, which have distinguished him among his peers in the profession.”
The governor said Obaigbena’s commitment to the tenets of a free society and accountability were underscored by the success and influence of his media enterprise. Obaseki added: “I celebrate you and all that you have accomplished in the journalism profession. I join others to celebrate your commitment to a free society and holding government accountable to the people, with your platforms. You have continued to blaze the trail in the profession despite several challenges, and your innovations have come to define some of the fine points of journalism today. We wish you many more years.
“We pray that you continue to inspire the new generation of journalists to serve our fatherland, deepen the culture of probity and create an enlightened society. I salute your achievements and pray that you enjoy many more years of good health and prosperity.”
