Nigeria’s oldest Newspaper honours Akpabio with Tribune’s Platinum Award as PATRON OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio CON, has been nominated for the Tribune’s Platinum Award as PATRON of NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, just as the Minister, in a letter of acceptance he personally signed, described the honour as ” a manifestation of what your establishment stands for in the Prints and Online media. “

The Nomination letter, which was personally endorsed by Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu and Mr Edward Dickson,  Publisher and Managing Director/ EiC of the Tribune titles, respectively stated that the choice of Akpabio was arrived at after a careful and painstaking appraisal of his achievements as the governor of Akwa Ibom State.

According to the letter, ” The Tribune as the surviving newspaper in the country symbolises the true Nigerian spirit of enterprise, doggedness and resilience, having survived the often tempestuous Nigeria’s economic and political climates.”

” The newspaper like a few other indigenous enterprises has demonstrated that Nigerians have the capacity to create enduring brands and legacies and turn the fortune of our country around for collective benefits of the citizenry. Therefore,  the Board and Managementod the African Newspaper of Nigeria(ANN)Plc, Publishers of the Tribune titles,  after careful deliberations have decided as part of the momentous event, to honor Nigerians,  who have invested their time and resources in the Nigeria project” the letter stated.

The letter noted further, ” with great pride and honour, we wish to inform you that the Board and Management of our great company have considered you a worthy recipient of this rare Nigerian Tribune Epochal 70th Anniversary/PLATINUM AWARD as Patron of National Development “

The company said that Akpabio became a natural choice for the award because ” as the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, you set the record in infrastructural development. You also launched the state on a glorious path by opening up the space for business and investment. Also noteworthy is the commendable intervention your administration made in sports, Agriculture as well as education and Tourism sectors,  especially the massive construction of facilities across the state.”

It added that, ” these solid and sound achievements have continued to speak volumes of your capacity as an administration of men and resources. It is no wonder then that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari deemed you worthy to be saddled with the delicate and very important assignment of managing the affairs of the Niger Delta.

“Thus the Board and Management of our great organisation, noted your activities and service to the people of Akwa Ibom State and the fatherland,  just as we appreciate your patronage of our great institutions,  adding, all these and more are the sterling qualities that distinguish you as a True Patriot,a Man of Integrity and Promoter of Good Governance and which quality you as a worthy recipients the TRIBUNE Platinum Anniversary Award”

In a personally signed letter of acceptance,  Akpabio said, I accept the Award with utmost pride.” It is with utmost pride, that I wholeheartedly accept this rare Nigerian Tribune’s Epochal 70th Anniversary/ Platinum Award as Patron of National Development, adding, your tenacity, dint of hard work,  details for quality and most importantly, unbiased reporting of the affairs of our country Nigeria and the world at large, puts you at an enviable height. No wonder the Nigerian Tribune has survived this past 70 years and still standing strong. “

The presentation ceremony,  according to the letter, comes up this Tuesday, 10th December, 2019, at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos by 4pm.