By Emameh Gabriel
President Bola Tinubu, former African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and THISDAY/Arise Media Group Chairman Prince Nduka Obaigbena on Thursday headlined the centenary celebration of the Daily Times of Nigeria, held at the THISDAY DOME in Abuja.
The event, themed “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future,” underscored the media’s role in democratic governance and charted a course for issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 elections, featuring the unveiling of the Nigerian Grand Book and the recognition of distinguished Nigerians who have contributed significantly to national development.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, used the occasion to highlight the critical role of a free media and the preservation of national memory in Nigeria’s growth and development.
Describing the Daily Times as the “flagstaff of Nigerian journalism,” Tinubu said the centenary was not merely a celebration of longevity but a testament to “endurance, relevance and institutional resilience.” “For a century, the Daily Times has not only reported the Nigerian story; it has been an important part of the history of our country,” Tinubu said.
The President noted that the newspaper had documented the colonial era, the struggle for independence, nation-building, and the evolution of contemporary democracy, capturing personalities and events that shaped Nigeria’s national identity.
“A nation that forgets its history is at risk of repeating its mistakes. But a nation that understands its history can draw wisdom from its successes, learn from its setbacks and confidently design its future,” he warned.
Linking historical continuity to his administration’s reform agenda, Tinubu insisted that the government’s policies were designed to change the country’s economic trajectory. “The reforms of the present administration are not simply about changing policies; they are about changing the trajectory of our nation,” he said.
He added that the reforms seek to establish a stronger fiscal foundation, create a more productive economy, strengthen institutions, attract investment, improve infrastructure, and expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
The President also endorsed the Nigerian Grand Book unveiled at the event, describing it as vital to preserving Nigeria’s institutional memory and enabling Nigerians to tell their own story from their own perspective.
“Our diversity is one of Nigeria’s greatest assets, and our history provides us with countless examples of what Nigerians can accomplish when our differences are transformed into strength rather than division,” Tinubu said.
Looking ahead, the President drew attention to Nigeria’s projected population growth, noting that the country’s population could reach about 450 million by 2050, with significant implications for food security, water supply, and human survival.
In his keynote address titled “Daily Times at 100: Lessons in Nation Building,” Dr. Akinwumi Adesina described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the most consequential initiatives for expanding access to tertiary education in the country.
“The NELFUND is one of the most consequential initiatives in Nigeria’s history for expanding access to tertiary education,” Adesina said. “By reducing financial barriers to higher education, it advances the principle that no qualified Nigerian should be denied the opportunity to pursue tertiary education because of financial circumstances.”
Adesina, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015 before leading the AfDB from 2015 to 2025, commended President Tinubu for championing the initiative, arguing that investment in education and young people was ultimately an investment in Nigeria’s human capital and future prosperity.
He emphasised that nation-building was not the responsibility of one person, administration or generation, but a process requiring continuity and the strengthening of institutions inherited from previous generations.
Speaking during a panel discussion with former Daily Times Managing Director Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and business executive Mustafa Chike-Obi, Prince Nduka Obaigbena issued a passionate call for political leaders preparing for the 2027 elections to shift focus from personal attacks to substantive policy debates.
“I believe I should implore our leaders to fight the election on policies. Should we have subsidy or should we not? Let us debate it,” Obaigbena declared. “Should we go back to the command-and-control exchange rates, or should we allow the markets? Should we have tax reforms such that we can equalise the gaps between the rich and the poor? How do we deal with insecurity? Is state police an answer? What does Abubakar Atiku think? What does Peter Obi think? Let us debate our future on policies.”
The media mogul cautioned politicians against resurrecting the era of smear campaigns, insisting that Nigerians deserve clarity on the alternatives being offered by competing parties and candidates.
“Let us not return to any smear campaign. Let us domesticate our fight in Nigeria and debate policies that affect people especially poverty, hardship. What is your alternative?” he added.
Reflecting on the evolving media landscape, Obaigbena argued that while technological advancements have transformed news distribution, the fundamental responsibilities of journalism endure.
“Journalism remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The forms of distribution have changed. The audiences have expanded as distribution is now in individual hands. That’s what technology has done,” he said.
He further called on the media to insist on presidential debates, emphasising that Nigerians have a right to hear directly from those seeking to govern them. “We want to hear from them. We want to see the debates. The media must insist on it because the Nigerian people need it,” he stated.
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