NGIGE, OKEREKE ONYIUKE, TRIBUNE, IGI OTHERS COMMISSERATE WITH THE SUN

Ngige
More individuals and organisations have continued to express sympathy with the management and staff of The Sun Publishing Company Limited, publishers of Daily Sun, Saturday Sun, Sunday Sun and Soccer Star, over the recent fire outbreak that engulfed the company's headquarters in Lagos.

The latest sympathisers include Dr. Chris Ngige, former governor of Anambra State; The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Nigerian Tribune, City Firm, Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI); Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA); Youth Development & Empowerment Foundation (YDEF) and Enwelunta & Co.

In his commiseration letter, Ngige said: 'May I use this medium, on behalf of myself, members of my family and the Action Congress (AC), Anambra State to express our profound shock and sympathy with your organisation on the recent unfortunate fire, which engulfed some portions of your company's headquarters in Lagos. This incident brings to mind the need and the imperativeness of a preventive approach towards fire outbreak in the design of operations buildings, especially those of the print media. We, however, thank God that the fire was brought under control within a short period of her rampage.

'It is no doubt a distressing incident, taking into cognizance the material and financial losses incurred in this outbreak, but I implore you to take solace in the fact that no life was lost. I also pray that the good Lord will give you the strength and fortitude to get through this tribulation for the overall benefit of our country Nigeria, especially your numerous readers scattered all over the country, who appreciate your superlative contributions to the dissemination of information and knowledge.'

In its letter of sympathy, the NSE said: 'Indeed, it was shocking to hear the news of the unfortunate incident, which razed part of the corporate headquarters complex. Undoubtedly, this sad incident would have led to a loss of millions of naira. However, we are grateful to God that no life was lost in the inferno.'

Signed by Sola Oni, Assiatant General Manager/ Head Corporate Communications, the NSE message added: 'As one of the most respected newspapers in the country and a true champion of the masses, we pray that God would streghten the management and staff to recover from the damage and indeed, turn 'ashes to joy.' We are confident that the organisation's selfless service to humanity shall continue to wax stronger.'

While the management and staff of African Newspapers of Nigeria, printers and publishers of Tribune titles, prayed 'God, in His infinite mercy, will grant The Sun family the courage to rise above the situation,' City Firm noted: 'The Sun has really grown within its short period of existence and will continue in this wise and requires adequate security measures with the application of state-of-the-art facilities and the officers saddled with the responsility be given the necessary exposure, by way of regular training.'

Sympathising with The Sun on the enormous loss caused by the conflagration, IGI, in a letter signed by Dotun Adekanbi, Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, said: 'We share in your grief at this period and it is our prayer that the Almighty God will bring succour to your company management and staff at this trying period and that He will restore, in no distant time, all your company has lost to the unfortunate incident. The Sun group shall surely rise from this disaster and move from strength to strength.'

In the same vein, PPPRA expresses its 'wish that the sad incident will not happen again as you continue to service the public with good and adequate reportage,' just as Nwakuneche Chambers charged The Sun to remain steadfast as it recoups and recovers all that the devil thought he could steal and destroy.

YDEF urged the company to 'consider the tragedy as a stepping stone to greater height as it continues to maintain its leadership as voice of the nation.'