After 10 long years of a consistent brand of journalism, flavored with hardcore truth and a reward system, Verbatim News Network Nigeria Limited has launched a daily newspaper pegged at N200 per copy.
The news organisation gathered notable Nigerians in a glamorous affair on Oct. 20 at the Conference Hall of the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Welcoming the guests, Mr. Tobs Agbaegbu, the editor-in-chief of Verbatim, shared with them how the magazine started as a fortnightly publication that quickly evolved into an online daily publication before finally becoming a daily newspaper.
Barely containing his joy, Agbaegbu expressed satisfaction that his hardwork anchored on high ethics and professionalism has paid off.
Echoing Agbaegbu, the Chairman, Board of Editors, Alh. Ibrahim Modibbo, in his remark, commended Verbatim, saying the addition of a daily newspaper to its news chain can now help it satisfy the growing demand for newsbreaks and hard hitting investigative reports.
The occasion was chaired by Barr. Dr. Solomon Arase, a former Inspector General of Police reputed as an authority in forensic brilliance and intelligence gathering.
Arase commended Verbatim for being consistent through the years, adding that they are a fine tribute to Newswatch magazine, one of the foremost news magazines in Nigeria, founded by widely acclaimed journalists, Dele Giwa.
Tobs Agbaegbu was a senior associate editor and Abuja bureau chief of the defunct magazine.
Aside the usual fanfare, the event was generously spiced with learning.
The guest speaker, Dr. Mainasara Kogo Umar, a public affairs analyst and director at the National Commission for Colleges of Education, delivered a rousing presentation, advising politicians against placing the love of money above the good of the country.
He stated that the love of money had overtaken every sense of duty and piety.
The evening came to it’s crescendo with the unveiling of the Verbatim newspaper, led by His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa State.
The governor who spoke through his representative, Comrade Yakubu Lamai, Director General of Strategic communication and Event Management Nasarawa, revealed bold and ambitious plans of building a mega city to merge into Abuja, which will attract revenue to the state as well as provide decent housing for Abuja’s teeming population.
The governor was supported in the unveiling of the newspaper by the Chairman of the occasion; the guest speaker; the Registrar/CEO of the National Examination Council, NECO, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi; the MD/CEO and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir; Prince Alex Mbata, CEO of ABM Group of Companies; Alh. Adamu Usman Ali-Tubo, MD/CEO of Ali-Tubo Power Integrated Limited amongst other dignitaries.
The unveiling of the newspaper item in the program was closely followed by an award ceremony during which the Nasarawa State governor was honoured with the Governor of the Year award.
The National Examination Council (NECO) bagged Integrity in Public Service (Corporate Excellence) award whilst its boss received a plaque of honour as an Integrity Ambassador.
Two other agencies of the federal government were also honoured.
While the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) was awarded the Integrity in Public Service (Corporate Excellence award), its MD/CEO, Engr Aliyu Tahir, was honoured as an Integrity Ambassador.
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), was honoured with Integrity in Public Service (corporate excellence award). Its CEO, Mr. Joe Aniku Michael Ohiani, was honoured with a plaque as an Integrity Ambassador.
Other individual awardees include Alh. Usman Ali-Tubo, Alex Mbata , Barrister Darlington Ozurumba and Barr. Emmanuel Njoku of Emma Njoku Foundation.
Responding to the honour, Prof. Wushishi stated that integrity was non-negotiable when it comes to maintaining high standards of secondary school and other examinations.
He assured Nigerians of his determination to ensure that NECO remains a beacon of excellence in the education sector.
Engr. Tahir thanked the organisers of the event and pledged to work harder to take the nation’s electrical sector to enviable heights.
THE JOURNEY TO SUCCESS AND THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE VERBATIM TEAM HAS BEEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL AND MUST BE COMMENDED BY ALL LOVERS OF HARD WORK ANCHORED ON PASSION, DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE. KUDOS!