Posted by By OLA AGBAJE on
More messages of encouragement have continued to pour in for The Sun, the acclaimed Voice of the Nation, in its encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
More messages of encouragement have continued to pour in for The Sun, the acclaimed Voice of the Nation, in its encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Former Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele, during a solidarity visit to the publishing outfit, described the travails of The Sun in the hands of the anti-graft agency as trial of common sense
Akinyele said: "I want you to understand that you're not on trial.
The Sun is not on trial. What is on trial is common sense. Let us see how far common sense will rule us in this country."
He noted that the present situation had made it compelling for him to visit The Sun, which he described as unarguably the number one newspaper in the country.
"The issue between you and EFCC cannot but attract the attention of numerous people whose breakfast is not complete without a copy of The Sun newspapers," the former minister said.
"As I have come now, many people will still come because we don't want anything to go wrong with The Sun.
"I have to emphasise that it is not how long but how well that matters in this world. Not quite a long time ago, you came into the Nigerian news-stand and today you're easily the most popular newspaper in the country.
"We thank God that he is using you people to show the light for the nation. How can one feel comfortable without reading a copy of The Sun in a day? Through this paper you have been able to show to the world that there is only one sun.
"I say this because I believe it. And by way of expansion and distribution network, I think you're second to none. So many of us have prayed for the survival of The Sun under this present circumstance.
"You will surely survive by the grace of God. This is because common sense will surely prevail at the end of the day."
Responding on behalf of the management, Managing Director of The Sun, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, thanked Akinyele for the exceptional courage in visiting the organisation at this period.
"We are very happy to have you around in these hard times. It is not everybody who has the courage to say they are coming to pay solidarity to The Sun at this point in time.
"The reason is very obvious. A lot of people who want to come and identify with us are afraid of EFCC. For you to come at this point in time shows that you are somebody who has nothing to hide. You're a man of integrity. You're a man after the truth and a man who is against injustice.
"I believe we shall surely survive this because as you have said, there is only one sun. and that sun belongs to God."
Awoyinfa described Akinyele as a true friend of the press, who should be entitled to royalty if such was charged for news.