The Nation Newspaper

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  • Agents disrupt circulation of The Nation, others in Lagos, Abuja

    Agents disrupt circulation of The Nation, others in Lagos, Abuja

    For the second day running, members of the Newspapers Distributors Associatiaon of Nigeria (NDAN) yesterday prevented the distribution of The Nation, The Sun and Vanguard newspapers at major points in Lagos and Abuja.

    The association and the newspapers have a dispute over commission – a development which made the distributors vow to frustrate the three newspapers.

    Following the disagreement, the newspaper resorted to direct distribution of their products but the agents have been frustrating them. At Kakawa, a major distribution point on Lagos Island, agents threatened to pour acid on employees of The Nation who were distributing the newspaper. They were also threatened in Ikeja and Maryland distribution points.

    An agent at the Kakawa distribution point was quoted as saying: “You people don’t want to negotiate. You think you can do it yourselves.”

    An agent from Kakawa was yesterday monitoring vendors in Maryland to ensure they were not selling the three newspapers.

    In Abuja, distributors seized newspapers from vendors who were ready to sell the products.

    The agents vowed to continue to disturb the media houses until they agree to part with more commission from the N200 cover price.

    The Punch has taken some agents before a court in Garki, Abuja for seizing their copies from direct salesmen.

    In Kakawa on Lagos Island, the agents prevented vendors from selling the newspapers.

    Their hired thugs threatened to “pour acid” on the vendors and the direct salesmen selling the newspapers.

    In Maryland, Lagos Mainland, the agents from Kakawa sent their thugs to stop vans carrying the newspapers from distributing them.

    In Ikorodu on the outskirts of Lagos, the agents initially prevented distribution of newspapers but later allowed it.

    The newspaper houses have written to the Police Commissioner, seeking protection for their business and workers.

     

  • Daughter of late The Nation Editor, five others get scholarship

    Succor came the way of six year old Miss Aladelokun Jemimah, daughter of the late Assistant Editor of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Dada Aladelokun and five other children of deceased journalists as they got scholarship from Richard Akinnola Foundation.

    Dada Aladelokun died on September 25, 2015 at a Lagos hospital after a protracted illness.

    Chairman of the Foundation, Mr. Richard Akinnola while presenting the scholarship of N100,000 each to the beneficiaries on Thursday at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre in Alausa, said the gesture was geared towards ameliorating the sufferings of the widows of the deceased journalists.

    He explained that beyond the momentary emotional outpouring after the demise of journalists, the widows and children are soon left to face the arduous situations of life.

    Akinnola said the foundation established in the last four has reached out to meet the needs of widows by empowering them, adding that it decided to use this year’s edition to go a notch higher by giving out annual scholarships to the children.

    He said the scholarship is restricted to one child per family due to paucity of funds, adding that other consideration would be given in the future as the foundation’s funds improve.

    Other beneficiaries of the scholarship include 19 years old Cynthia Okonkwo, Ogundeji Adeyemi Ezekiel, Amadi Samuel Onyedikachi, Samuel Olumide Paul, Sanni Omolara.

    Omolara, a student of Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the foundation for the gesture while assuring that they would make adequate use of the opportunity to become better citizens and care for their younger siblings.

    She told our reporter that their family has not been having it easy since the demise of their father.

    “I have been having challenges with paying my school fees and for me to continue studying I have to do little savings so as to meet up with the fee payment. This gesture would go a long way to assist me and take away the pain my mother has been going through when it comes to how I will continue my studies,” Omolara said.

    Also Mrs. Folusho Samuel, widow of late Encomium Weekly Deputy Editor, Folusho Samuel who passed away on October 28, 2015, also relieved her experience since the demise of her husband.

    She said she has been worried about coping with her rent that will soon expire and also thinking of meeting the children fees when school resumes next term.

    She thanked the foundation saying the gesture is a big relief for her and her family.

  • New cover prices from Monday

    The economy is in turmoil. Prices of practically all valuable items have skyrocketed. Foreign exchange to bring in essential materials for production is hard to come by. The exchange rate has spiralled out of control. Many manufacturing concerns are producing far below their installed capacities and jobs are threatened.

    Our industry is hard hit as most production materials are imported. With forex difficult to source, there is scarcity of production materials, particularly newsprint. Expectedly, the prices of the limited quantity available have soared astronomically. We have absorbed the huge extra cost in our resolve to serve you, our most esteemed readers. We have no other desire than to serve you most faithfully, timely, unobtrusively and in a most robust manner. But the reality of the times demand that few adjustments be made in our collective interest.

    We are, therefore, compelled by circumstances beyond our control to effect a slight increase in the cover prices of your favorite newspapers, The NATION (Monday – Friday), The NATION on Saturday and The NATION on Sunday. The new prices , effective Monday 28, are :

    N200  for The NATION  (Monday – Friday)

    N250   for The NATION    on Saturday

    N250    for The NATION   on Sunday

    The editions will undoubtedly  be richer in content and brighter in outlook . We thank you for your understanding as we strive to serve you better.

    —Management.

  • The Nation Forum on the economy opens April 7

    The Nation Forum on the economy opens April 7

    To devalue the Naira or not? How do the states get out of the woods? What new avenues for investments? How do we bring life to the factories now turning into carcasses?

    Answers to these and a major boost to states of the federation through a focus on inter and intra-regional competencies, comparative advantages and trade relationships will be put in motion as the re-scheduled The Nation’s “ First National Forum On The Economy” holds on April 7th and 8th, 2016, in Lagos.

    The event, which was initially slated for December, last year, was shifted because of the bad weather which affected flight schedules and principally to also accommodate broader stakeholders of the economy, including newly appointed ministers.

    A concept of Vintage Press Ltd, publishers of THE NATION, in partnership with CEEDEE Resources, the national forum will be hosted by the Lagos State Government. Major partners across the country, including the Bank of Industry and Lagos Airport Hotel Ltd, Ikeja, which is putting up its facilities as the venue, and several others have signified interest in the event that is expected to attract the participation of all the state governments, the private sector and the public.

    The programme also received the blessing of the Federal Government. The Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, accepted to be part of the events and deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony. A delegation led by the Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation, Mr. Sam Omatseye, held a meeting with the Vice President early last month in his Aso Villa office, during which he expressed the government’s happiness at such a positive response effort by The Nation to complement government’s initiatives to reposition the economy.

    Mr. Omatseye, at the meeting, briefed the Vice President that the major focus of The Nation’s First National Forum On The Economy is national growth through inter- regional cooperation, stressing the interest of the organisers to stimulate internal revenue growth through inter and intra trades and also through the promotion of recognised, hidden and untapped competencies, including  solid minerals, which will ultimately lead to the boosting of international trade and foreign exchange earnings.

    The major objective of the forum is to push a new momentum for awareness among the states and geo-political zones of the country, for a genuine assessment of peculiar competencies, capacities and comparative advantages. This is conceptualised to achieve the Forum’s two-way focus of the programme’s agenda of dynamic discourse and general exhibitions among participants.

    There have been lots of inquiries since the postponement from governments, investors and the public. These can now be channeled to 08169289167, 080255997994 and 08060205914.

  • My ordeal in the hands of soldiers – Nation man

    My ordeal in the hands of soldiers – Nation man

    The clash between two pro-Biafra protesting groups; Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), may have come and gone, but the impact still leaves many so much to ponder on.

    One of the residents of Aba and Sales Representative of The Nation in the city, Gbola Alade narrating the ordeal he suffered in the hands of soldiers said he was yet to get his phone which some soldiers collected from him.

    He also said that the soldiers who ordered him to enter their patrol van also broke his official Identity card.

    According to him, “I was coming back from the bank to the office after making some payment.

    “It was when I got to Mosque near our office unknown to me that soldiers had already laid siege in the area. But since I know that I was not part of the protesters and that I was very close to my office I didn’t bother. I was equally hanging my ID card on my neck.

    “The soldiers ordered me to come and I went to answer them. They inquired to know who I am and I told them that I am a staff of Nation and that my office is very close.

    “Before I could finish talking, one of the soldiers in a patrol van marked 47A or so broke my ID card and equally collected my phone and accused me of trying to snap them with my phone.

    “They ordered me into their truck with one other person who was later discovered to be a corps member. They drove to a distance and asked us to go down.

    “This morning (Tuesday), I have made attempt to go to nearby army formation but none admitted it was their personnel that broke my ID and collected my phone. My phone is still not reachable and I am still going to visit other formations to see if I can get my phone back because of the contacts I have in the phone. According to them, the soldiers that came were from different formations outside Aba.

    “I want to use this medium to appeal to the soldiers to please return my phone because as it stands now, it is affecting my job. I don’t know why they should break my ID and seize my mobile phone at the same time,” he stated.

  • Great expectations as The Nation praises God

    Great expectations as The Nation praises God

    Great things are in store for The Nation this year, if it continues to trust in God, it was proclaimed yesterday.

    The occasion was the 2015 annual end-of-year thanksgiving service organised by the management of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation.

    The service, which was held at the company’s 27b Fatai Atere Way corporate office, was attended by members of staff and top management officials, including the Executive Director, (Finance and Administration), Ade Odunewu;  Editor Gbenga Omotoso; Deputy Editorial Board Chairman Tunji Adegboyega and General Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde.

    Apostle David Kayode of Treasure House Ministries assisted by Rev. Joseph Chidiebere ministered at the event.

    Delivering a sermon titled: “Trusting the Lord at all times”, Apostle Kayode said there was a divine hand in the survival of the company.

    Reading from Psalm 127:1, he said: “God is the builder of all things. Except he builds a company, it’ll fail.

    “God is on this company’s side and has kept it through the trials and challenges it passed through in the last nine years. Any institution that puts its trust in God will succeed.”

    Apostle Kayode urged the staff to be humble, honest and stick to the company’s vision.

    “They should stick to the company’s vision and God will sustain the company,” he said.

    Odunewu said despite the serious challenges faced last year, God was good to the company.

    He said: “Thank God for his mercy. Last year, we met and committed the company to God and He made it possible for us to be here today. God has kept the MD and other staff.

    “Many companies are in serious distress but God has not allowed it to be so with The Nation.”

    He continued: “The 10th anniversary of The Nation comes up on July 31; God will see the company through just as he saw us through nine years and we’ll have a better 10th year anniversary celebration.

    “We’ll have a week’s celebration of the 10th year anniversary and there’ll be testimonies.”

    Odunewu apologised for the absence of the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Victor Ifijeh.

    “The MD has been very busy, but he’s here in spirit and he wishes everyone a Happy New Year.”

    “He also urges everyone to do all things in moderation.”

    The Executive Director praised the paper for its awards haul at the 2015 Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) held on December 22.

    He added: “The Nation had the highest number of awards at the NMMA. “

    In his view, “we should have won the Newspaper of the Year because we had 13 awards while our nearest competitor had nine”.

    Other top members of the management team at the service, which featured songs of praise to the Almighty include Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni; Advert Manager Robinson Osirike; IT/Pre-Press Manager Bolarinwa Meekness and Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu.

  • The Nation hauls 13 awards at NMMA

    The Nation hauls 13 awards at NMMA

    The best writers and reporters have found a home in The Nation, it was confirmed last night.

    Of a record 35 nominations, this newspaper won in 13 categories at the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA)– the highest by any publication.

    In the kitty are Editor of the Year, Investigative Reporter of the Year and Columnist of the Year. It was all  at a colourful ceremony, which took place at the Eko Hotels in Lagos.

    Former Lagos State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was given a Special Recognition Award.

    The Punch, which won the Newspaper of the Year, had nine awards from 13 nominations.

    The Nation Editor Gbenga Omotoso is Editor of the Year. He won in the same category two years ago. This newspaper was a finalist in the Newspaper of the Year category.

    Assistant Editor (News)‎ Olukorede Yishau won two prizes. Yishau won the Columnist of the Year, with a piece titled “Time to deploy Mbu to Maiduguri”. He also won the Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporter of the Year with his entry titled “October 1 and other stories”.

    Head of Investigative Desk Adekunle Yusuf won the Investigative Reporter of the Year category with his story on how lead poisoning has killed many in Zamfara.

    Yusuf last month won the Wole Soyinka Investigating Reporter of the Year.

    Senior Finance Correspondent Collins Nweze won two awards: Banking and Finance Reporter of the Year and Money Market Reporter of the Year.

    Head of Capital Market Desk Taofik Salako won the Capital Market Reporter of the Year prize.

    This newspaper’s South-South Editor, Shola O’Neil, won the Buba Marwa Prize for Defence Reporter of the Year with his story‎ “ Inside the mess soldiers call home in Warri”. O’Neil was also runner-up in the Environment Reporter of the Year category.

    Versatile Reporter Evelyn Osagie won the Female Reporter of the Year prize. She was also runner up in the Education Reporter of the Year category.

    Assistant Editor Sina Fadare, who is a multiple award winner, won the Olagunsoye Prize for Culture Reporter with his story “ Magun: Myth or reality”.

    Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu won the Lateef Jakande Prize for Political Reporter of the Year.

    The Ernest Sisei Ikoli Prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year was won by Joseph Jibueze, who a fortnight ago won the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) in the judicial reporting category.

    He won both prizes with his piece “How sabotage, blackmail and undue delays are killing the judiciary”.

    Chikodi Okereocha, also a serial award winner, won the Chevron Prize for Oil and Gas Reporter of the Year.

    This newspapers’ reporters were also finalists in many other categories.

    Associate Editor and past recipient of the CNN African Journalist of the Year in the health reporting category Olatunji Ololade was a finalist in the Cecil King Prize for Print Reporter of the Year, which went to The Guardian’s Chukwuma Muanya.

    Star Reporter and Assistant Editor Seun Akioye was runner-up in two categories: Etisalat Prize for Innovative Reporter of the Year and Tourism Reporter of the Year.

    Cross River State Correspondent Nicholas Kalu was also a finalist in the Etisalat Prize for Innovative Reporter of the Year, which was won by Tribune’s Sanya Aderonke Temitope.

    Adegboyega Alaka was runner-up in the Gani Fawehinmi Prize for Human Rights Reporting, which was won by Adeyemi Ayodeji of Tell. Alaka was runner-up to O’Neil in the Defence Reporting category.

    Assistant Editor Lucas Ajanaku was runner-up in the Telecomms Reporting category, which was won by The Guardian’s Ajibola Hamzat.

    Another Assistant Editor with this newspaper and past recipient of the NMMA, Muyiwa Lucas, was runner-up in the Aviation Reporter of the Year category, which was won by The Punch’s Abioye Oyetunji Kennedy.

    Reigning winner of the Quills award Taiwo Alimi was runner-up in the MKO Abiola Prize for Sports Reporter of the Year for his expose on the travails of ex-footballers, published in  The Nation on Sunday. The category was won by Tell’s Anthony Akaeze.

    Apart from winning the Newspaper of the Year and Aviation Reporter of the Year, The Punch also won Keystone Bank’s CSR Reporter of the Year Award (Adedayo Oketola), Insurance Reporter of the Year (Adenike Popoola)‎, Real Estate Award ( Eric Dumo), Cartoonist of the Year (Bennet Omeke), Feature Writer of the Year (Eunice Adesola), Business Reporter of the Year ( Iyatse Geoff Omokhafe) and Editorial Writing of the Year.

    Channels TV won the TV Station of the Year – for the 10th time.

    In all, 1043 entries were received from 726 entrants from print, radio and television categories.

     

  • The Nation Correspondent, Omobola wins ARIAN Best Journalist of the Year Award

    The Nation Correspondent, Omobola wins ARIAN Best Journalist of the Year Award

    The Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN) has named The Nation’s Insurance and Pension Correspondent, as the ARIAN Best Journalist of the Year Award in the Sixth edition of its awards in Lagos State.

    Insurance veteran, Professor Joe Irukwu was crowned the Man of the Year.

    Other winners are, Custodian Insurance, which emerged Insurance Company of the Year and Naija FM as Radio Station of the Year.

    ARIAN President, Gbadebo Olamerun while presenting said ARIAN nominated Tolu-Kusimo among three other journalist for her consistency in reportage of insurance activities and commitment to insurance agency growth and development.

    According to him, she this has increased the reach of agency practitioners likewise her unbias view on topic and sensitive insurance issues.

    He also said Irukwu was honoured due to his contributions to insurance development in the nation and the entire globe.

    He commended other winners for their contributions to insurance.

    Irukwu, who was represented by the President of Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA) Mrs Yetunde Adenuga, commended the association for its contributions toward insurance growth and pledged continued support in promoting growth and development in the industry.

     

  • The Nation’s Yusuf wins Wole Soyinka Award

    The Nation’s Yusuf wins Wole Soyinka Award

    The Nation mounted the big stage again last night, with Investigative Desk Head Adekunle Yusuf winning the print category of the prestigious Wole Soyinka Awards for Investigative Journalism.

    The colourful ceremony was held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, coming after last weekend’s feat of five awards at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) – the highest in the individuals category by any newspaper.  It was the tenth anniversary of the Soyinka Award.

    Yusuf’s three-part series on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) titled “How corruption, leadership hamper NDLEA’s drug war” defeated the work of The Punch’s Motunrayo Joel on ovum selling in Nigeria titled “Ovum trading: Inside Nigeria’s multi-million naira human eggs business”.

    Another of Yusuf’s entry titled “Inside the oil deals that caused Nigeria billions” was commended.

    After receiving the award, Yusuf said: “I feel specially proud and honored for clinching this prestigious award, being my first Wole Soyinka prize for investigating reporting. Believe me, I see it more as a challenge to do more and work harder in service of my fatherland. And I promise to take up the gauntlet. Having said this, I am sending a big thank-you message to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Reporting, the panel of judges, all individuals and organizations that made today’s event a success. Finally, a far bigger gratitude goes to the entire staff and management of The Nation , Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper, for this award is impossible without them. Thank you!”

    Premium Time’s Emmanuel Ogala, who won the online category, was declared the winner of the overall prize. Ogala received his prize from Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.

    Other winners are Sumner Sambo of Television Continental (Broadcast), Daily Trust’s Ikechukwu Ibe (Photography) and Business Day’s Asukwo Bassey.

    Other finalists, who either were runners up or got commended for their works are: Fisayo Soyombo of The Cable, Chukwuemeka Emenike of The New Telegraph, Adedayo Odusanya of The Punch and Bassey Udo of Premium Times, Ayodele Ojo of The Sun and Kikelomo Abosede Ifekoya of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

    Erstwhile Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Professor of Political Science, Attahiru Jega, who played an outstanding role in the success of the 2015 elections and veteran broadcaster Bimbo Oloyede were honoured with the Anti-Corruption Defender Award and the Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence, respectively.

    The winning stories were selected out of 130 entries by a panel of judges chaired by veteran broadcaster Bimbo Oloyede. Other members of the panel include Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, a lecturer at the Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos; Umaru Pate, a Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Maiduguri; Boye Ola, a lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ); Editor of Sunday Trust, Theophilus Abbah; Gbile Oshadipe, a lecturer at the NIJ; the Dean of the Lagos State University School of Communications, Lai Oso; and the NIJ Provost, Gbemiga Ogunleye.

    Soyinka congratulated the winners and wished them well in their endeavours. He said the minister had not failed the nation.

     

  • Edun, Dare congratulate The Nation on DAME feat

    Edun, Dare congratulate The Nation on DAME feat

    Encomiums have continued to pour in for The Nation, following its harvest of awards at the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) last weekend.

    Chairman, Board of Director of Vintage Press Limited, publisher of The Nation, Mr Wale Edun, and the Editorial Adviser, Emeritus Professor Olatunji Dare, congratulated the company for the feat. They described the achievement as “multiple triumphs” and a reward for excellent journalism to which the paper committed itself.

    Of the 14 prizes in the print category, this newspaper won five, which represents the highest by reporters from any media organisation in the country.

    The Punch also won five awards. Of these, two were by reporters (Development Reporting and Insurance Reporting), while the other three are institutional awards (Editorial Writing, Newspaper of the Year and Editor of The Year).

    Edun, in his congratulatory message to the management, said: “I say many congratulations on the multiple triumphs for our organisation at the last DAME Award. We rejoice with the winners, as we continue to be proud of the hard work and effort of all at Vintage Press Limited.”

    “It is another bountiful harvest,” Dare described the multiple awards, stressing that the commanding performance of the newspaper showed that The Nation did not relapse into complacency.

    He, however, cautioned the company not to be carried away by the accolades, saying the newspaper must strive for improvement in its reportage.

    Dare said: “Another year, and another bountiful harvest at the DAME Awards, evidence that our commanding performance last year did not lull us into complacency. Congratulations to our editors and correspondents on sustaining their prize-winning form.

    “Congratulations to management on providing an environment in which such outstanding journalism can flourish. The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. Even as we celebrate, we must be unyielding in our striving for improvement.”