Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, and former governor of the state, Aremo Segun Osoba, yesterday, commended The Guardian newspaper for having stand out as a reputable and credible media outfit in the country 40 years after it was founded by its late Publisher, Dr. Alex Ibru.
In a letter to the management, Abiodun said: “The news, really, is not just that The Guardian is 40; the news is that at 40, it has done for the nation by way of comprehensive coverage of news, analysis of events and guardianship of society what some newspapers have not been known to have done for their nation in a century.
“This moment is one every patriotic Nigerian who recognises the value of the newspaper as an intellectual powerhouse and one of the most resilient, most engaging and most phenomenal newspapers on the African continent cannot but relish.
“It is impossible to forget The Guardian’s steadfastness, determination and doggedness during the military era and how it has sustained the vision of the Founder now that democracy has returned and taken root in the country.
“The government and people of Ogun State felicitate with The Guardian. While praying that the media group will continue to grow from strength to strength, I enjoin you not to rest on your oars but to make this epochal moment just the very beginning of unrivalled excellence in the next century,” the governor said.
Also speaking on the 40th anniversary, Osoba, who is a founding member of The Guardian, and one of Alex Ibru’s personal friends, said: “The media outfit has lived up to the vision and philosophy upon which it was founded in 1983.”
The former Managing Director of Daily Times, Sketch and Heralds newspapers added that The Guardian was the first of its kind in Nigeria that combined the capacity of professionals and intellectuals in the media industries together to fight, promote, protect and speak for the Nigerian masses through the pen.”
According to him, “there are many unique factors in the history and foundation of The Guardian newspapers. First of all, the founder has very strong vision and all-embracing idea of a high quality newspaper patterned after The London Times, The Guardian of London, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times.
“He wanted an independent newspaper and he lived to that promise of independent newspaper. He wanted a quality newspaper and he lived up to creating that standard. He established a newspaper where the professionals were allowed to express their opinions and ideas freely.”
The former Ogun governor added that what was so unique about The Guardian is that men and women of impeccable character both within and outside government are always willing to identify with the editorial contents of the paper.
“When The Guardian writes or take a position in its editorial content, the Federal, state and local governments, including internal communities, are forced to listen or give credence to its stand.”
Revealing his discussion with the late Alex Ibru that led to the concept of The Guardian, Osoba said: “Alex kept telling me that he would love to have a medium through a media house that he can be seen to influence humanity for positive thinking. I told him that if he has the philosophy and idea, was he ready to allow the professionals that will run the paper a total free hands and he said yes.”
He commended Lady Maiden Alex Ibru, wife of the late publisher, for having lived up to expectation of her husband’s vision and philosophy since she succeeded him in 2011.
According to him, “I am happy she is a very strong character, brilliant, intelligent and well educated. She has lived up to expectations since she became the first lady publisher in the country.”
Osoba also commended the resilience of all members of The Guardian staff, saying the medium is an institution, where many great men and women had been built and nurtured to contribute to the development and growth of Nigeria in many sectors.
