The Publisher of PMParrot Evening Newspaper (PMParrot.com/PMParrotng.com) and Parrot Xtra Magazine, Mr Olayinka Agboola has expressed appreciation to the management of Nigerian Tribune Publications (African Newspapers of Nigeria) for the support given to his publishing concern when the project took off in 2004.
Agboola also thanked the late governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina, the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi as well as his counterpart who is now in charge of Ondo State, Barrister Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The Publisher expressed his appreciation to these individuals and institution during an extraordinary Editorial meeting of the media outfit to mark its 14th Anniversary recently.
While speaking at the corporate headquarters of the Parrots located on Ring Road, Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, the Publisher singled out the Nigerian Tribune Management in 2014 for believing in the concept of an evening newspaper and for giving all the necessary professional and technical support for its take-off.
Said Agboola “I must apologise to all those concerned that we are just officially acknowledging what the management of Nigerian Tribune did at that time to ensure that PMParrot did not arrive ‘dead’.
“We started without observing all the ‘rules in the books’. It was the management of the Nigeria Tribune in 2004 led by the late Apostle Oluwole Awolowo that ‘filled in the gaps’ for us in terms of all the technical support we needed. I salute Dr Olusegun Olatunji, Barrister Dapo Ogunwusi, Edward Dickson, Alhaji Debo Abdulai, Sina Oladehinde, Omotayo Lewis, Yemisi Aofolaju, Tinu Ayanniyi, Akin Durodola and several others.”
Agboola then went ahead to thank Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, the Tourism Editor at Nigerian Tribune Newspapers for playing a specific role a year after the Parrot Project took off.
“Wale played a very yeoman’s role when we clocked one year in the business of publishing. We were ready to fold up. But he offered to help. I must thank the owner of the prestigious event center, Engineer Femi Babalola and his friend, Senator Gbenga Babalola. They allowed God to use them to ensure our survival.”
In addition, Agboola said “I will say it again here that I am appreciative of key people who were involved in the process that led to the crystallization of the PMParrot/Parrot Xtra Magazine publishing project.
“My friend, Dr Dayo Olomu in London kept pushing and pushing. Lanre Alabi of Kingsize Entertainment would not leave me alone. The conceptualization took place in Akin Adelegan (Advertange Communications)’s house at Ogba, in Lagos, the take off funds were sourced from Hassan Fatungase of Lenuwa Ventures and Godwin Mekwuye of Vivid Imagination, who first had a good laugh when I told him I was being led by the ‘spirits’ to embark on the publication project. I must not forget Kunle Onime of MPC, Daniel Wilson, the original Bad Boy, Chief Alex-Duduyemi, Modupe Olubanjo, our ‘Iyalode’ and several other friends in Lagos who supported us. Thanks to my bosses, Basorun Dele Momodu, Femi Akintunde Johnson, Mayor Akinpelu, Kunle Bakare, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Lekan Ogunbanwo, Tokunbo Ojekunle and others.
“All in all, my wife, Oluwatoyin, my Ado Ekiti Princess gave all her support. She was embarrassed initially when I told her that the fund to rent our office then in 2004 was mainly raised from my mother, Alice Olatundun Agboola (Nee Olasupo of Oke Dada of Ibadanland). I must commend Mr Olanrewaju Agiri, our Sports Editor who has been a member of the team in the past 14 years. We must hail Alhaji Bashiru Akande, the big man who Allah has put in charge of Opulence Creations, one of the most trendy fashion outfits in Nigeria.
“We thank God once again, we thank Barrister Akeem Agbaje, our lawyer, we thank Mr Semiu Adenekan (DJ Semight), Mr Olajide Adesina, Evangelist Ajibola Ogunkeyede of Ufitfly, Adelani Baderinwa, Semiu Okanlawon, Yemi Olowolabi, Adedayo Adeneye, Steve Ayorinde, Toye Arulogun, Seun Abimbola – we appreciate all those who have one way or the other lifted a finger in our support. It has been a turbulent experience. We are professionals. We enjoy what we do. All Parrots here present are appreciated. Let us all continue to be prayerful, focused and hard working. God has just started with us.”
Packaged by Oyeladun Olabiyi
