Abdul Alli
One of the leading Newspaper in Nigeria, the Daily Trust today, Thursday in Abuja honoured its pioneer directors, partners and staff at a grand ceremony marking its 20th Anniversary as a newspaper.
The leading light of the award Alh Isiaq Ajibola was presented with an “Award of Excellence “for his pioneering role as co-founder, General Manager and Managing Director for about 18years in the life of the company.
The award was presented by the former Chairman of Punch Newspaper, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola in an occasion witnessed by dignitaries from all walks of life that featured in a panel of discussion that centres on “Journalism as Business: News, Views and Advertising.
The discussants; Mr. Frank Aigbogun (Publisher, Business Day); Senator Chris Anyanwu (Proprietor, Hot FM); Dapo Olorunyomi Editor in Chief, Premium Times moderated by Kadaria Ahmed Xrayed the relationship between Journalism and Business in a media organisation.
Ajibola the author of the book titled “Journalism and Business: My Newspaper Odyssey” retired from the operations of the company in December 2014.
Reacting to his award he said: “The highly talented and hard working staff who worked in the company especially at inception did so with great commitment, dedication and high sense of responsibility. This was what formed the foundation for the growth for the company since 1996 when the company was founded.This is indeed what has brought us thus far. I therefore dedicate this award to them”.
Also reacting to the award in a statement signed by its spokesman Durojaiye Hassan, the Integrity Group, an association of young professionals in the Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State, expressed delight at the award. He said
“We are so proud of him. He is a man of integrity who rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director of the company. This is a testimony to his brilliance, hard work and pedigree.This award has once again confirmed our identification of him as an agent of social change and in the society”.
Dignitaries at the event include Mallsm Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant, to the President on Media Affairs;Mallam Wada Maida, former Managing Director of NAN; Alhaji Isiyaku Rabiu, a prominent businessman; Professor Nuru Yakubu, former VC, UNIABUJA; Dr Aliyu Modibbo, former Minister of FCT. Mr Yakubu Waba,President of NLC and host of others.
