President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Leadership Newspaper Group on its 20th anniversary, commending the media organisation for its enduring contribution to informed journalism and good governance in Nigeria.

In a statement, President Tinubu fondly remembered the late Sam Nda-Isaiah, the visionary founder and chairman of the newspaper group. Nda-Isaiah, a pharmacist, businessman, columnist, and politician, played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s media landscape, starting from his days as a weekly columnist at Daily Trust to the establishment of Leadership Confidential, and eventually founding the Leadership newspaper group.

The Leadership newspaper, which began as a weekly publication on October 1, 2004, transitioned to a daily national newspaper on February 1, 2006. Today, the group also publishes Leadership Hausa and National Economy, further extending its reach and influence.

President Tinubu praised the newspaper’s board, management, and staff for staying true to Nda-Isaiah’s vision of producing a national newspaper that promotes good governance, defends the interests of Nigeria and its citizens, and adheres to the highest ethical standards of journalism. He acknowledged the group’s critical role in shaping informed discourse in the country.

In addition to celebrating the achievements of the newspaper, President Tinubu highlighted the significant role played by Nda-Isaiah’s wife, Zainab, who took over as chairman of the company following her husband’s passing in 2020. The President described Zainab as embodying the qualities of an ideal African woman and commended her for successfully leading the company to new heights.

The President also recognised the contributions of media icon Azubuike Ishiekwene, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, and a dedicated team that continues to uphold the high standards set by the founder.

As Leadership Newspapers celebrates two decades of journalistic excellence, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting journalists in performing their duties without threats or intimidation, in line with constitutional guarantees. He expressed hope that the newspaper would continue producing balanced stories that future generations will treasure as records of integrity.

The celebration of Leadership Newspapers marks a significant milestone for both the organisation and Nigeria’s broader media landscape.