By Daniel Obaje
President Bola Tinubu has urged Daily Times to preserve Nigeria’s history and use its century-long legacy to contribute to the development of the country’s future.
Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the centenary celebration of Daily Times.
He described the 100th anniversary of the newspaper as a testament to its relevance and institutional resilience, saying it has remained an important part of Nigeria’s national journey.
“It is, therefore, particularly fitting that this centenary celebration gives us the Nigerian Grand Book, a companion of history, of our people, our achievements and our defining moments.
“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.
Tinubu said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is focused on changing the trajectory of the country through stronger institutions, economic reforms and greater opportunities for Nigerians.
“The reforms of the present administration are not simply about changing policies, they are about changing the trajectory of our nation.
“They seek to build a stronger fiscal foundation, create a more productive economy, strengthen institutions, allow investments, improve infrastructure, expand opportunities for young people and position Nigeria to compete more willingly and purposefully in the global economy.
“History should not be a museum of yesterday, history should be an instrument of engineering tomorrow,” Tinubu said.
The President said the Nigerian Grand Book would also help to celebrate Nigerians who had contributed to national development and preserve institutional memories for the future.
“Indeed, one of the responsibilities of leadership is to preserve the lessons of the past while creating the conditions for the next generation to achieve even more.
“The question before us is not simply, what has Nigeria been? The more important question is, what can Nigeria become?
“This is the Nigeria we must collectively engineer. A Nigeria whose enormous human and natural resources are translated into productivity, prosperity and global influence,” he said.
In his keynote address, former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, said Daily Times’ century-long journey offered important lessons in nation building.
Adesina, who spoke on the theme “Daily Times at 100: Lessons in Nation Building” said continuity remained central to the development of enduring institutions and nations.
“For me, the answer begins with one word, “continuity”. No generation begins with a blank page.
“Every generation inherits from those who came before; they inherit institutions, ideas, traditions, businesses, universities, laws, and above all, the belief that the future can be better than the present.
“And that is the lesson. A nation is not built by one person, not by one government, not by one generation; it is built by generations.
“Take what has been built, strengthen it, make it better and then pass it on. That is how nations progress and that is the responsibility of leadership.
“In that sense, the Daily Times did more than report the making of Nigeria, it helped shape it.
“For a century, it helped to shape Nigeria’s public conversation; it has informed, it has challenged, it has questioned, it has recorded.
“At important moments in our history, it has helped Nigerians to understand the country in which they are living and the country they hope to become,” he said.
The former AfDB president urged the newspaper’s management to preserve its ideals while embracing technology and adapting to the changing media landscape.
“You have inherited more than a newspaper, you have inherited a business, a trusted name, an institution that helps shape Nigeria’s public life; that inheritance is an honour, but it is also a responsibility.
“Your task is not simply to preserve the Daily Times of the past, it is to build the Daily Times of the future.
“Make it bigger, stronger, more innovative and more relevant to a new generation. Make it a platform that informs, challenges, inspires and brings Nigerians together,” Adesina said.
Also speaking, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, National Vice-Chairman, South-East, All Progressives Congress (APC), said Daily Times has the opportunity to expand beyond traditional newspaper publishing and occupy a bigger global media space.
“Daily Times has made the audacious pronouncement that this is not just about the past 100 years, it’s about the future 100 years.
“And with a lot of changes in the media world, Daily Times stands in a good position to expand its course beyond printing newspaper on the newsstand which we patronised from childhood, to occupy a bigger media space, a global media space.
“I believe today they have launched that sprint to occupy the global media space,” Arodiogbu said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Magdalene Ukuedojor