The former executive secretary of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and organizing secretary, Times Heroes Award Council, Mr. Feyi Smith, has expressed confidence that the newspapering business will survive despite the challenges and disruptions facing the media industry globally.
Smith gave the assurance in an aside with Tribune Online after a media chat held in Lagos by the Council to unveil the final list of the DTN @100 Times Heroes Awards, one of a series of events marking the Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN) Centenary celebration.
He said the advent of technology and new media had brought disruptions that media organizations have continued to grapple with.
However, the former NPAN executive secretary said organizations seeking to remain relevant must reinvent, diversify, and explore the business side of journalism.
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He explained that the DTN Heroes Award, scheduled to be held in Abuja on Thursday, is designed to celebrate individuals and corporate organisations that have contributed to the success of the publication and the nation’s economy.
“A lot of people contributed to where the publication is today, and we intend to honor some of them on Thursday. They include Sam Amuka-Pemu, Publisher, Vanguard Newspaper; Aremo Segun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State; Chief Yemi Ogunbiyi, former MD, Daily Times, and founding Chairman, Tanus Communications; and Akogun Tola Adeniyi, among others.
Unveiling the final list of awardees at the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards, the Chairman of the DTN@100 Heroes Awards Council, Bolaji Okusaga, explained that the recognition event is designed to celebrate individuals who have distinguished themselves in various fields, from politics to development, social causes and philanthropy, international relations, development financing, and others.
According to Okusaga, the awards are conceived not merely as a ceremony of recognition but as a deliberate effort to preserve national memory and celebrate the individuals and institutions whose leadership, courage, enterprise, public service, and innovation have contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
“The Daily Times has spent 100 years documenting the Nigerian story. Through the DTN@100 Heroes Awards, we are taking that responsibility a step further by documenting and celebrating the people and institutions that have helped to write that story through their service, leadership, enterprise, and impact,” Okusaga said.
He added that the final list reflects the breadth and diversity of contributions that have shaped the Nigerian experience, spanning governance, politics, business, public administration, technology, energy, development, climate action, community leadership, diplomacy, social impact, and enterprise.