Nigeria’s influential online newspaper, News Express, today marked its fifth anniversary with a well-attended Lecture during which it also unveiled its new logo. Venue of the event was the upscale Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event attracted an array of distinguished personalities from all spheres of endeavour and heavy media presence. The Guest Lecturer, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, spoke on the theme, “National Unity and the Demand for Restructuring — A Governor’s Perspective”. The Governor, who was held back in Abuja by the National Economic Meeting, was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, who did justice to the topic.

Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, delivered the Keynote Address on the theme, “Using the Platform of Public Office to Reclaim the Promise of Our Destiny”. He was unavoidably absent but was represented by a Deputy Director in his office, Barrister Richard Obianu, who expertly delivered his paper.

Other speakers included Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina; Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Eke; and General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria LNG Limited, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, all of whom held the full house spell-bound with their masterly deliveries.

Chaired by eminent lawyer and President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga think tank, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, the event also graced by NTA Lagos Channel 10, Mrs. Helen Onma Odeleye; while former Anambra State Governor and Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, sent representatives. Peter Obi was represented by his Special Adviser, Barrister Valentine Obienyem and Dr. Peterside by NIMASA Director of Legal Services, Barrister Abdulsalam Suleiman.

One of the highlights of the occasion was the unveiling of the new logo of News Express, depicting two intertwined circles – one red and one black – along with the name of the paper. The circles represent the world while red stands for day and black night.

The new logo was unveiled by Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina while it was interpreted by Speech Coach and Registrar of the Institute of Certified Communicators of Nigeria (ICCOM), Mr. Chris Nkwocha.

A thrilling poetry performance by Oluseye Noiki further added colour to the event.

News Express, which debuted on August 29, 2012, is one of Nigeria’s most popular and influential online dailies. It is read by hundreds of thousands of people around the world and records annual traffic of upwards of 100 million.

•Chief Goddy Uwazurike (L) and Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina displaying the new News Express logo while other dignitaries watch . . . on Thursday at Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.

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