News
63rd Independence Anniversary: Fulfilling founding fathers dreams through 24 years uninterrupted Democracy, – says Akobundu
…Urge other African countries to emulate the good example
Joel Ajayi
As Nigerians celebrates her 63rd Independence anniversary on 1st October 2023, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, fsi has described the 24 years of uninterrupted Democracy of Nigeria as a fulfillment of the dreams of Nigerian founding fathers, urges other African countries to emulate the good gesture.
Akobundu stated this in her Independence Day message to Staff and Stakeholders of the Agency in marking the day.
She said Nigerians have every reason to celebrate despite the few challenges facing the Nation which the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has shown strong commitment to tackling since the assumption of office.
According to Akobundu, Nigerians, particularly the youths should not give up on the nation, noting countless opportunities that abound in the country
which can be explored to make a good living for all.
“Youths of any nation is her strength and therefore Nigeria is blessed to have nearly 65 percent of her population as youths.
“President Tinubu has shown his great disposition to working with youth through his appointment of youths into key and sensitive positions in recent times.
“I also call for concerted effort from all Nigerians in supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda which encapsulates the 8-point Agenda of Mr President aimed at building the Nigeria of our dream,” she said.
“No nation can develop without the full cooperation and contributions of her citizens,” Akobundu added.
The Agency boss said AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, in line with its mandate, would continue to attract partnerships, investment opportunities, resource mobilization, and other goodwill from well-meaning organizations, countries, and partners, desirous of contributing to the growth of the Nation.
Akobundu recalled that at the just concluded United Nations General Assembly, the Agency was able to secure a partnership deal between Nigeria, Princeton University, and the African School of Economics leading to the signing of an MOU by the Minister of Education on the sidelines of the UNGA
Again it held a high-level investment summit with investors and partners in collaboration with the AUDA-NEPAD Continental secretariat with a view to attracting investments in land restoration programmes of the government.
She said with the huge interest shown by investors, partners, and other participants at the event, Nigeria would soon start reaping the benefits.
Akobundu hinted that the Smallholder farmers project initiated by the Agency had been attracting a lot of interest from local and foreign investors, adding that the agency would continue to implement with vigor, all its flagship programs.
It will be recalled that the Agency successfully conducted Nigeria’s APRM Second Peer Review and it’s recommendations and findings report was adopted as a guide to other African nations with similar challenges at the 2022 African Union Summit.
The Review preferred solutions on five thematic areas namely: Economic Governance and Management; Democracy and Political Governance; Socio-economic Development; Corporate Governance; and Cross-cutting Issues.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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