"Bastion of excellence in journalism practice", Gov Ododo celebrates Punch at 50 »

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has felicitated with the management and staff of Punch, publishers of The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH, and PUNCH Online on the 50th anniversary celebration of its founding which is celebrated this year as the anniversary originally coincided with the country’s general election in March 2023.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser on media to the Kogi State Governor, Ismaila Isah praised the Punch for being the bastion of excellence in journalism practice in Nigeria.

The statement noted that Punch through its reputable newspaper titles has excelled as the voice of the ordinary people and continues to serve as a bridge between the people of Nigeria and the government at all levels.

Governor Ododo commended the management of the Punch for its leadership role in promoting ethics in journalism and for its outstanding contributions to the survival of democracy and development of Nigeria through half a century of holding government to account and mobilizing the people through education and sensitization to support policies and programmes of government over the years.

The Kogi State Governor also commended Punch for its cross-generational approach to the management of a modern news organization with the reinvention of all its newspaper titles and establishment of PUNCH Online which he noted has enabled the news organization to compete favourably with its peers in the industry.

“I congratulate the management and staff of Punch on the 50th anniversary of the organization.

I am pleased to note that you have been in the newspaper business for over 50 years and counting and I celebrate you on this significant milestone which has defined the journalism industry in Nigeria.
As you count down to another 50 years and more, accept the best wishes of the government and people of Kogi State and count on our goodwill in the years ahead as partners,” the Governor said.

He called for the continued collaboration between the government and the media to deepen democracy and deliver good governance to the people of the country.