The management of Premium Times has expressed profound
gratitude to all who showed support and solidarity with them when two
journalists, namely Dapo Olorunyomi and Evelyn Okakwu, were arrested by the
Nigerian Police Force on Thursday, January 19, 2017, reports ITRealms.
The Managing Editor, Premium Times, Idris Akinbajo, told ITRealms in a press statement that during those hours when their offices were
raided and colleagues detained, “the world rose in solidarity and stood firmly
with us, with everyone not only condemning the attack but also calling for the
immediate release of our staff.”
They, thus, expressed thanks to the Nigerian Union of
Journalists (NUJ), civil and human rights organisation, non-governmental
organisations, clergymen, legal practitioners, political leaders and officials
of government at different levels who played roles, openly or discreetly, in
ensuring that our colleagues were freed.
“We thank local and foreign media organisations who reported
the event as it unfolded and pressured authorities to do the right thing,” he
said.
Akinbajo also extended gratitude to all human rights groups
and other global organisations which in one form or another helped pressured
the police, the army and the Nigerian government to let the detained
journalists go.
“We thank individuals at home and abroad who also called in
not only to express their support for our work but also demanded that our
colleagues be freed,” he said, stressing that they cannot forget their esteemed
readers who stood by them during those dark hours.
“We truly cannot thank you all enough,” Premium Times
management said, pointing out that their solidarity and support showed that Premium
Times has become a public trust that should continue to play active roles in
the affairs of our nation and the world at large, especially as an agent of
social change and justice.
“We will continue to do our best in helping to make our
nation and the world a better place to live in. Despite the ordeals of our
colleagues, our spirits remain unbroken in our commitment to strengthening our
democracy and promoting good governance in our country,” Akinbajo assured.
Emphasising that Premium Times will not be intimidated by
any individual, group of individuals or institutions of government into giving
up its quest for a country with strong and transparent institutions, and governed
in the best possible way.
“We will continue to do our business legally, professionally
and with undiluted patriotism. We will continue to adhere to the ethics and
tenets of the journalism profession. As usual, in our reportage of events,
every side will be always be reflected,” he declared.
Maintaining that Premium Times is in partnership with all political
authorities in promoting the welfare and security of all Nigerians, insisting, “They
should see us as partners who will continue to hold them accountable rather
than as adversaries.”
Nonye Dom/GEE
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