Keynote speaker, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (left); Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; Chairman of the occasion, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Co-chairman, Rev. Tola Oyediran and Executive Secretary, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Segun Awolowo at the unveiling of new look Tribune and symposium to mark the 70th anniversary of Tribune in Lagos…on Tuesday. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI
Political pundits have advocated true democracy for political stability in Nigeria. This call was made at the presentation of the new-look Nigerian Tribune newspaper to celebrate its 70th years on the newsstands.
Chairman of the occasion, and former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, emphasised the need to return to true federalism practised in the years before the first military intervention in 1966, which, according to him, would be achieved by restructuring the country.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections by ensuring that the result represents the choice of the citizens.
“The international community is watching in the area of the federal government and its agencies to see how far they respect the constitution and the rule of law as regards the coming election.”
“INEC must remain conscious that the credibility of the result of the coming election will depend on the level of its commitment by making it free and fair and ensuring that the results represent the choice of the citizens,” he added.
According to Bishop Matthew Kukah, who was the guest speaker, the country so far has been practising gerontocracy, a government by the old who are not prepared for the position they find themselves.
Presidential aspirant of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Kingsley Moghalu, urged the media to be independent by avoiding fake news and narratives about the coming election.
At the unveiling, president of the African NewspaperS of Nigeria (ANN), Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, hinted that unveiling the new Tribune was part of the commitment to renew its legacy as the oldest thriving newspaper in Nigeria.
The Guardian
