A three-day photo exhibition, as part of events marking the 50th anniversary of PUNCH newspapers, opened in Lagos on Wednesday, with a former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State, Steve Ayorinde, as curator.

The photo exhibition, showcasing iconic photographs from PUNCH’s rich archive, comes next after the ceremonies marking the newspaper house’s golden jubilee kicked off on Saturday, February 24, 2024, with a colourful novelty football match at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.

Founded in March 1973, PUNCH, Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, clocked 50 March 18 last year but its board of directors moved the 50th-anniversary celebration to this year because the anniversary month fell within an election month and year.

PUNCH’s anniversary is being marked with the 40th anniversary of the passing of its founding Chairman, the late Chief James Olubunmi Aboderin, who died on February 28, 1984, at the age of 50.

At the three-day photo-story exhibition holding at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria’s most widely-read newspaper will be showcasing 100 of its iconic photographs that tell the rich history of Nigeria and her people, as well as how the media house has been a major part of the country’s history.

The exhibition will afford PUNCH readers and other Nigerians the opportunity to view the best photographs from its extensive pictorial archive of the biggest news events in the nation’s history.

Some of the photos will show action moments of the late Afrobeat icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, as well as the late human rights activist and lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN).

Following the photo exhibition is the distinguished public lecture to be held on Thursday, February 29, at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The lecture is expected to play host to leaders from the public and private sectors.

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, will deliver the anniversary lecture. The renowned playwright, novelist, poet and essayist is expected to deconstruct an important issue of national discourse.