The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), yesterday reiterated its commitment to the fight against corruption in the country by the current administration. It insisted that it had always been in the vanguard of the fight against graft and won’t relent on it.
Giving the assurance while receiving the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was on a courtesy call on the Association at its Secretariat in Maryland, Lagos, the President of the Association, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena , told the Minister: “We will help you fight corruption because it is antithetical to development.”
Welcoming the new vista by which the government is pursuing its anti- corruption drive, Obaigbena, who is also the Publisher of Thisday Newspaper, noted that more mileage would be garnered and the campaign more enduring, if government fights corruption by building strong institutions
Others present to receive the minister included the Managing Director of New Telegraph Newspaper, Mrs. Funke Egbemode; Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, Mr. Steve Nwosu; President of Leadership Group and former Presidential aspirant, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah; Assistant Secretary and Publisher of Blue Print newspapers, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, among other Executive Council and members of the Association.
In his address, the minister sought the support and cooperation of the media owners, adding that it was not the intention of the government to intimidate anyone or group of persons. Government’s current drive, he explained, was motivated by the higher ideal of bringing happiness to the greater number of the citizenry, stating that, “this would remain an illusion without curing the corruption cancer that had eaten deep into the nation.”
