IPI: When Daily Times exhibited ‘92 years of excellent journalism’

Although the four-day long world congress of the International Press Institute, IPI, has ended in Abuja, what will linger for many years in the minds of most participants is a show tagged “92 Years of Excellent Journalism,” exhibited by The Daily Times of Nigeria.

The exhibition which was a side event to the dinner organised by IPI Nigeria for the hundreds of media leaders and practitioners took place at the prestigious Dunes Restaurant, Maitama Abuja on June 23, 2018.

It was promoted by Folio Communications Plc, publishers of The Daily Times in partnership with Heritage Bank as part of its community enlightenment and social responsibility project.

“92 years of Excellent Journalism” according to Fidelis Anosike, Chairman of Folio Communications Plc, is aimed at bringing back memories of The Daily Times publications, especially cover pages that illustrate unique moments and events about Nigeria.

Anosike said, “Daily Times is Nigeria’s heritage newspaper. It is the nation’s number 1 brand in terms development journalism and archiving.

We have the richest newspaper archive in West Africa where stories of Nigeria and the world as captured by Daily Times in the past 92 years are documented. The exhibition today is just a tip of the iceberg.

You can see we have just about 30 stands because of the space available here. We have the capacity to put up 1,000 stands in a more spacious environment to showcase the rich history and culture of Nigeria and other parts of the world, all from the stables of Daily Times.”

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was Special Guest of Honour at the Dinner, had openly exclaimed “wow” when his attention was drawn to the exhibition stands by The Daily Times crew led by Bonaventure Melah, the paper’s Managing Editor, assisted by Francis Kanu, Head of Archive and others.

“This is really good,” Saraki added while going through some of the publications printed and pasted on exhibition boards resting on isles of pure and natural wood.

The publications that were showcased include those dated years before independence, freedom day editorials and headlines, Nigeria’s glorious moments in sports, art, literature among others as well as the various military takeovers, civil handover, death of prominent citizens including the late Nigerian journalists, Dele Giwa, exploits of great musicians like Fela Anikulapo and the list goes on.

The attraction of the exhibition was so captivating that most of the participants at the programme including cameramen of Aljazera, CNN, BBC, Channels TV, NTA and others took time out to capture the presentations while some others took turn to pose for photographs beside or in front of the stands.

Speaking later at the Dinner, Saraki said it was a special honour for Nigeria to host the international press at the IPI World Congress in Abuja as the world’s best journalists, editors and media executives have converged in Nigeria to explore the theme – ‘Why Good Journalism Matters: Quality Media For Strong Societies.

He congratulated the IPI and the Nigerian Hosting Committee on the successful hosting of this World Congress and General Assembly.

Saraki said, “We welcome this visit of the IPI to Nigeria and we call for more regular visits, and indeed annual congresses, in this part of the world.

This, I believe, will make for better understanding of Nigerians and Africans in the eyes of the international media when international journalists themselves come in our midst and get the right position about Africa.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the World’s Press, you will agree with me that negative stereotypes of the so-called ‘dark continent’ have been bandied about for too long.

This has had an unfortunate effect on the development of Africa, as well as the sense of pride and dignity of young Africans down the ages. And we do know that these negative notions of Africa are largely misconceptions.”

Among dignitaries at the programme were Chief Executive Officer of Channels TV, John Momoh, Publishers of Thisday, Daily Times and Vanguard newspapers, Nduka Obiagbena, Fidelis Anosike and Sam Amuta respectively; IPI Executive Director, Barbara Trionfi and IPI Nigeria Executive Secretary, Raheem Adedoyin, among many others.

The night witnessed different entertainment shows with Nigerian entertainers and showbiz maestros that trilled the audience while the best of Nigerian and intercontinental cuisines were served in between assorted drinks and dances. It was a night to remember.