*Ex-Ministers, DGs, Academia, Royal fathers, veteran journalists send goodwill messages
Stakeholders in the environment space have described NatureNews as a symbol of development journalism that deserves to be the number one nature publication in the world.
This was expressed in different tones by well-wishers who conveyed felicitations to management and staff of NatureNews on the newspaper’s global rating.
It will be recalled that FeedSpot Media, in a survey of 2,047 nature publications worldwide, rated NatureNews as number one in Africa and one of the top 12 in the world.
In a congratulatory message to management of NatureNews, Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed expressed delight at the newspaper’s remarkable accomplishment within a short period.
He commended the newspaper’s publisher and team members, urging them to remain focused and steadfast in their unique genre of development journalism.
In the same vein, the immediate past Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed H. Abdullahi said he was not surprised by the impressive global rating of NatureNews.
The former Minister said the newspaper is very unique in its concept, design and layout, adding that the content too is rich in relevant stories and opinions on all aspects of the environment.
The global recognition also elicited a goodwill message from the Director General of Nigeria Country Office, African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Mr. Lamin Barrow, who said the honour was for the entire Africa.
He said the thematic focus of NatureNews makes the newspaper a major stakeholder in the global campaign again climate change and its devastating impacts especially in Africa.
The DG explained that AfDB has been playing remarkable roles in building climate resilience and catalysing the actions that are necessary for growth.
In a short message of felicitations, a veteran journalist and former Managing Director of The Guardian, Mr. Elueme Izeze said the global rating of NatureNews “is reward for vision, focus and hard work”.
He urged the staff to keep up the good work and aim for excellent performance at all times.
From the UK, Dr. Alim Abubakre said NatureNews is reputed for blazing the trail through her rigorous editorial process that has positioned Nigeria and Africa positively on the world stage.
According to the Senior Lecturer of International Business at Sheffield Business School, being ranked number one in Africa and 12th globally for championing best practices in sustainability, is very laudable.
Dr. Abubakre, who is also a member of the Advisory Board of London Business School African Society & Founder, TEXEM, UK, said the new leadership position should spur NatureNews to aspire to transform the world by inspiring more stakeholders to adopt better environmental standards.
In his carefully worded message of felicitations, a veteran editor and broadcaster, Dr. Is’haq Modibbo Kawu said he was not surprised at the remarkable recognition of the work the NatureNews team has done in such a short period.
Dr. Kawu who was a Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) gave kudos to the newspaper’s team for making us all more conscious of our duty to husband nature and its resources in a very responsible manner.
He posited that peole are of nature and belong to nature, “but the relentless pace of capitalist modernity and postmodern depletion of the resources of nature endangers all life on earth”.
Dr. Kawu, who was Editor of Daily Trust, noted that newspapers like NatureNews “that reminds us of our responsibility to nature plays a vital role in the overall effort to preserve life on our very beautiful but fragile universe”.
Another profound message of felicitations was received from His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Goodluck Obi (JP), OFO Dim UBULU IHEJIOFO Ancient Kingdom, ORU West Local Government Area, Imo State.
The royal father, who said he was “so elated to have read that NatureNews was rated First in Africa and 12th in the whole world”, also described the ranking as a spectacular mark of honour for Nigeria and Africa.
Eze Obi said the global ranking “was an eloquent testimony of the hard work, dedication, devotion and determination of the management and staff”, adding that his NGO, UNOY and GADYLP, also work on Environment and Climate Change.
For Dr. Ruqayah Owoyemi who is based in Malaysia, “this is good news from Africa about an African media brand”.
She expressed optimism that Naturenews will continue to be a voice towards curbing global warming and helping in promoting environmental sustainability across Africa.
From Warri, Delta State, Mr Babalobi Falobi attested to the sound editorial contents of NatureNews, saying he always looked forward to reading each edition which he digested voraciously.
A Certified Environmental Systems Auditor, Mr. Falobi who commended the quality of NatureNews expressed the hope that the newspaper will grow to higher heights.
In his congratulatory message, a retired Major General, Dr. Mobolaji Koleoso extolled the doggedness of the NatureNews team in conquering all obstacles to this top.
General Koleoso commended the staff and management of NatureNews as he expressed the hope that the newspaper will soar to higher height.
The Emir of Dutse, HRH, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi said the global recognition was aptly justified by the exemplary contributions of NatureNews to environmental awareness in Africa.
Emir Sanusi who recently succeeded his father on the Advisory Board of NatureNews urged all relevant stakeholders and institutions in Africa to actively support NatureNews in the enormous tasks it has undertaken to save our continent from climate change impacts.
A renowned climate scientist and environmental consultant, Prof. Jimmy Adogoke described the news of the rating as fantastic.
Prof. Adegoke who is a member of NatureNews Advisory Board said the recognition is richly deserved by Africa’s foremost nature publication.