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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday canvassed the need for Nigeria to enable a conducive business environment for investors in order to attract revenue to the country.
The former President spoke at the public presentation of a book titled ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens,’
The book, written by the immediate past Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, was unveiled on Tuesday at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Obasanjo took the attendees through the history of telecommunication firms in Nigeria, especially during his time as President.
He explained how the government created a competitive environment for mobile telecommunication networks such as MTN, GLO, Airtel and 9Mobile, among others.
Obasanjo said his government achieved competition and attracted money to Nigeria.
“That opportunity can still be made available. The money to develop Nigeria is out there. That money will not come unless we create a conducive environment for that money to come.
“What we did, what Nigeria has done in the good days when things were going well are still there and can still be done today.
“When we show the character and the attribute, and we show the understanding and the knowledge to make this country a great country that God has created it to be – a land flowing with milk and honey – not a land of insecurity, not a land of lack of prosperity but a land where everybody can enough for himself or herself,” the former President said.
Oketola, who bowed out as The PUNCH Editor in June this year, also delivered his exaugural lecture at the event, describing the two-in-one event as a significant milestone in his career as a journalist.
According to him, the exaugural event is not the end of his journalism career but a mark of the end of his career as an Editor of The PUNCH.
In his introductory speech at the lecture titled ‘Print Journalism in Peril: Challenging Times for Newspaper Editors,’ Oketola said, “This occasion marks a significant milestone in my professional journey — a journey that has spanned about two decades of dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to the ideals of journalism.”
Oketola said the media industry at this age faces critical challenges, especially with the advent of online journalism and social media, describing the moment as a time for industry players to re-strategise and harness the opportunities presented by the social realities.
He said, “As we gather here today, we find ourselves at a critical juncture in the history of print journalism. The industry faces unprecedented challenges — from the disruptive impact of social media to the evolving demands of our readership. Yet, in these challenges lie opportunities for innovation, reinvention and a reaffirmation of the core values that define our noble profession.”
He stressed that his appointment as an Editor of the most widely read newspaper in Nigeria at a young age was a testament that long years of experience were not a criterion for leadership in the newsroom as being held by some media veterans.
“This perspective (of being old to lead) is both flawed and detrimental to the dynamism of the media industry,” he said, adding, “age is indeed just a number and leadership capability is not determined solely by the length of time one has spent in the industry. Instead, leadership is shaped by dedication, creativity, hard work and often the grace of God.”
He added, “In Nigeria, some years ago, we had the ‘Not to young to rule’ mantra. In the media, we also have the ‘not too young to become a newspaper editor.’”
The event was graced by prominent dignitaries and media media stakeholders.
They include former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, and the chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation, Sam Omatseye.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, was also represented at the event.
The founder of the Love of Christ Generation Church C&S (Worldwide), Revd. Esther Ajayi, was also present.
The event was chaired by former Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoti, while the book review was done by the Convener, Centre for Social Media Research, Dr Akin Olaniyan.
While speaking, the Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, Omotoso, said the state government was planning new innovations in the area of ICT as it resonates with the title of the book being launched by Oketola.
On his part, Amaechi, in a very brief speech, said the condition in which journalists are practising journalism now is worse than in the military era.
Past and present staff members and management of PUNCH Nigeria Limited graced the event, including General Manager, Production, Olayinka Popoola; Ag. GM, Corporate Services, Temitope Olusesan-Biala; Chairman, PUNCH Editorial Board, Obafemi Obadare; Editor, The PUNCH, Tunji Abioye; Editor, Weekend Titles, Samson Folarin; Metro Editor, Joel Nwokeoma; former GM, Corporate Services, Olufolakemi Gbemuotor; former Editor, Weekend Titles, Olusola Fabiyi; and former Deputy Editor, The PUNCH, Olaniyi Odebode.
