Fresh facts emerged about how the former Editorial board Chairman of the Punch Newspapers, Adebolu Arowolo, was fired by his employers over that infamous ‘ ‘Minna Media Parley’, hosted by the evil genius, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

He was the first victim of the trip to Minna where Babangida who wants to be President, tried to compromise the media. The Punch which has showed zero tolerance for such behavior had few months ago showed former Managing Editor, Azu Ishiekwene, the gate for alleged corrupt practices. The whole saga also consumed Ex Editor, Steve Ayorinde. Arowolo, just like Ishiekwene, wrote consistently on the corrupt system, including legislators pay, and the alleged $5 Billion LNG remittances to NNPC,



Pointblanknews.com learnt that shortly after Arowolo returned from Minna with a bagful of cash, he went straight home since it was a weekend. He also did not disclose to anyone his invitation to Babangida’s house, nor his nocturnal trip.

According to our source, few days later, an online publication blew open the meeting where over 20 editors, and 20 line editors attended, and how they shared a paltry N10 million. Pointblanknews.com later learnt that they got N200, 000 each, and an extra N50,000 for flight expenses.

At that meeting were editors from the Guardian, The Sun, Thisday, The Nation, Daily Independent, Sunday Independent, Punch, Tribune, Vanguard, Leadership, the electronic media etc. The parley and propaganda stunt lasted between 11pm and 1am. They were ‘compelled’ to sign a birthday card for IBB, and pose for a photo shoot.

Pointblanknews.com learnt that few days after the publication by the online media and mentions on face book, the Managing Director, Demola Osinubi, called Arowolo into his office and repeatedly asked him if he was at the IBB media parley. He consistently denied he was there, claiming he was home.

Our source said Osinubi believed him because, Arowolo was like a laid back guy, with the mien of one of the few good ones, who hardly leaves Lagos. “He believed him because he didn’t appear to be such a person. He was well paid, he gets a little over N400, 000 per month. “

So, Osinubi said if he (Arowolo), was sure he did not attend, he should put together a rejoinder disclaiming the story. According to our source, “ The MD repeatedly asked him, if he attended , he said no, so he said since we can’t sue them because they are not in Nigeria, let’s put together a rejoinder because, the story really embarrassed the Punch.”

Pointblanknews.com further learnt that, few days after the encounter with Arowolo, The Chairman of the Board, Ajibola Ogunshola was at a meeting of the Nigeria Newspaper Proprietors Association (NPAN), with other publishers, when the issue came up. Our source also said, in attendance was the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Amuka Pemu, believed to be a member of IBB fan club.

Said the source “at that NPAN meeting the chairman, (Ogunshola), and others talked about the issue. Amuka Pemu told him, it was well attended and that the Punch was there. Ogunshola said there was no way the Punch would have been there. It was at that point that Gbenga Adefaye (President, Nigeria Guild Of Editors), leaned towards him (Ogunshola), and whispered into his ear that Arowolo was there. He was shocked, but not convinced”

Pointblanknews.com gathered further that the moment Ogunshola left the meeting he called the MD, Osinubi to ask about Punch presence at the IBB parley.

“The MD called him into his office and confronted him with the latest revelation. He (Arowolo) just burst into tears and fell on the floor, begging and asking for forgiveness. But the Boss told him, it was late because the Chairman is already aware. So he was asked to resign or be fired.” The worse part of it all was that he embarrassed the Punch, lost his job for a paltry N200, 000,” said a source.

The corruption in the media is comparable only to the public sector. It is common knowlegde that on their meagre salary, most newspaper editors live in personal mansions with fleet of cars. I can actually mention a few and their addresses.

See wetin my brothers dey do. Sebi MKO died in vain ni?

only God can save us from corruption

Akin-Egba:

See wetin my brothers dey do. Sebi MKO died in vain ni?

There will always be sell-outs

seanet02:

only God can save us from corruption

Faster we understand that there are but just few SAINTS the best for us all . . . . . . .

seanet02:


Our source said Osinubi believed him because, Arowolo was like a laid back guy, with the mien of one of the few good ones, who hardly leaves Lagos. “He believed him because he didn’t appear to be such a person. He was well paid, he gets a little over N400, 000 per month. “

Can the bolded be right? Does Punch pay that much? or just the usual media guile . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . , . .

chosen04:

Can the bolded be right? Does Punch pay that much? or just the usual media guile . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . , . .

i no feel answer this oooooooooooooo

I don't believe this story, especially the said amount IBB gave them.

@chosen04,
400k for an editorial board chairan, for a paper as big ads Punch at that, is just average. Editorial board Chairman is no small post, you must be a veteran journalist, of close to, if not more than, 20 years experience.

Deep Soul:

Didn't know Journalism paid that well (400k). If it's true, it's quite impressive and encouraging for those interested in the profession.


Quite contradictory.

10 million shared amongst 20 people = N500, 000 each.

By the way like someone said, it isnt possible that IBB would invite people all the way to the Hilltop and give them just 200k.
500k, maybe. But not 200.

They'll have to pay thier middle men, IBB boys at minna, settle police excorts etc so N200K might be the fianl take home, lol

@Deepsoul,
Editorial board Chairman, who must have had like 20+ years experience as a journalist, earning 400k to me doesn't portray journalism as well paying. The primary reason I did not go into journalism despite my flair for it. With 20 years experience, you should be close to ED or GM in a bank, with seven digit pay per month.

Jarus:

@chosen04,
400k for an editorial board chairan, for a paper as big ads Punch at that, is just average. Editorial board Chairman is no small post, you must be a veteran journalist, of close to, if not more than, 20 years experience.

Thanks for your reply. . . . . .But i never imagined these guys earned that much and yet in interested in every 'brown envelop' from our stinking politicans . . . . . . . . . .

Why do you think it is called the Free Press - The Media who were once the bastion of Justice and Activism for the masses have now become pr0stitues for any Political party from ACN to PDP. If they seem to be doing a good job on hacking Tinubu or Fashola someone else is paying for it.if GEJ is having media blues, you can bet the Oracle of Bourdillion is smiling