Posted by By YINKA FABOWALE, Ibadan on
Newspaper titles in The Sun's stable must uphold the best standards of journalistic practice for which they are noted, to guarantee their continued success, says Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Newspaper titles in The Sun's stable must uphold the best standards of journalistic practice for which they are noted, to guarantee their continued success, says Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
The governor gave the advice on Friday when the management team of the publishing firm led by the Managing Director/Editor-in- Chief, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, paid him a courtesy visit in his Osogbo office.
The visit was past of activities in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the newspapers on the newsstands, which included meeting with relevant stakeholders.
Awoyinfa had in his opening remarks at the meeting recounted the journey and transformation of The Sun from being a tabloid to being the voice of the nation and lately the conscience of the nation, with huge market success in the past five years.
He noted that The Sun had risen to be the most popular brand and a paper that nobody could ignore within the short span of its life, enthusing: 'the young are singing about The Sun, the adults are and I am sure your Excellency loves our page three girl.
Awoyinfa disclosed that the secret of the newspaper's success lay in its principle of professionalism and an understanding of marketing adding: 'we understand the market, we know what to sell, we know what the readers want to read. Not only that, we have a team of highly dedicated young men and woman with the ‘we can do spirit', who want to succeed by all means.
Oyinlola thanked his guests for the visit and congratulated The Sun for its achievements, urging it not to deviate from the best tradition of journalistic practice which had endeared it to the reading public.
The Sun managing director had congratulated the governor on his recent history at the election tribunal.
Awoyinfa described the governor as 'a gentleman and soldier, a leader who had been a leader in the time of war and a leader in the time of peace.
The MD, who hails from the state, said he was happy to be 'playing home" and jokingly said other members of his team, including his deputy, Dimgba Igwe, who he described as his twin brother, were automatically citizens of the sate and as such at home too.
Speaking further on The Sun, Awoyinfa said the next five years would form a new horizon and expressed optimism that 'that we are going to surpass that by the Grace of God.
'Our vision is to grow The Sun into a mega communication company that will go into television, into radio, into everything and we're very ready for the battle.
He said competitors had already started copying The Sun, which he said, had necessitated 'a change in our strategy, so that we're the real leaders of journalism.
On The Sun team, besides Igwe were:c Executive Director (Publications), Mr. Femi Adesina; Editor, Daily Sun, Mr. Steve Nwosu; Editor Sunday Sun, Mrs. Funke Egbemode; Manager Adverts and Commercials, Mr. Demola Abioye and the South West Bureau Chief,Mr. Yinka Fabowale
Itsekiri opinion leader, Hon Omolubi Newuwumi, has lauded President Umar Yar'Adua for replacing the proposed summit with discussions with various stakeholders on the Niger Delta issue.
According to him, the new twist will further pave way for the resolution of the numerous crises confronting the region which has culminated into worrisome development.
Omolubi in a chat on weekend with our reporter in Warri, Delta State, however pleaded with the President to be sincere in the development of the region that is sustaining the country's main economy.
"The region has long been suffering; being the source of the nation's oil wealth. It is pertinent that government should genuinely implement the master-plan to transform the Niger-Delta which has been in the doldrums for several years", lamented the Itsekiri leader.
He attributed the numerous violence in the region to the criminal neglect and bastardization of the area. Describing the new trend in which violence is erupting as an embarrassment and dangerous.
Omolubi who is an executive member of the Delta State Peace Committee on Waterways therefore asked Mr. President to allow a Niger Deltan to be the head of whatever committee he wants to set up that would discuss the fate of the people of the region.
"I am saying this because the people are abreast with the problems confronting them on daily basis. No outsider can discuss and proffer solution to all the numerous problems prevalent in the region", said the Itsekiri leader.
‘It is high time Mr. President allow the people to discuss a common problems confronting them as a people. It is ridiculous to see that government continue to play lip service to the survival and well being of the region", stressed Omolubi, insisting that it is the person that wears the shoe that knows where it pinches.
He commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta for further transforming the State and giving a new lease of life.