16th May, 2013
Punch, ThisDay and The Nation newspapers were conspicuously missing at the unveiling of media partners of the Nigerian Centenary Project which held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Ikeja, Lagos today. Only five national newspapers were announced at the media partnership unveiling ceremony.
The Guardian, Vanguard, Business Day, The Sun and Nigerian Tribune were part of the 19 media partners unveiled. TheNEWS and TELL magazine were the two other print media that were unveiled.
NTA, AIT, Silverbird and Channels are the four official television partners while Cool FM, Wazobia, Nigerian Info, Classic FM, Rhythm, Beat FM, Raypower and Radio Nigeria were unveiled as radio partners for the Nigerian Centenary project. Other media outfit that were mentioned includes Kennis Music, Dynamo, Marketing Edge and Linda Ikeji.
Nollywood celebrities Stephanie Okereke-Linus, Segun Arinze, Monalisa Chinda and soccer stars Austin Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo were unveiled as the first set of brand ambassadors for the ceremony.
Also present at the ceremony were Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Minister of State for Works, Enyi Odigbo, Chairman DBB Lagos and Sam Nwaobasi, Special Assistant to the Secretary to Government of the Federation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yuguda described the centenary celebration as a defining time in the history of Nigeria as it chronicles the rich past of the country. “The centenary celebration should not be left to the government alone because we are all involved. We must embrace this celebration and make our country proud,” he said.
He added that the centenary celebration was driven by the private sector. “This is a private sector initiative. It is a laudable one for us all because we get the opportunity to truly tell the world we are good people with a rich tradition.”