By Gele Agbai…
Imo State, located in the southeastern region of Nigeria, offers a conducive environment for the expansion and development of the newspaper industry, largely due to the high educational levels of its residents and their strong appetite for information. While all five Igbo states are renowned for their educational achievements, Imo State is particularly distinguished by its keen interest in acquiring information.
As one of the states with a limited industrial base, Imo remains predominantly a civil service state. Its sole industrial area in Owerri is significantly underutilized. Consequently, politics has become the primary business, with politicians requiring timely information to gain an advantage over their competitors.
Newspapers not only serve as means of communication but also as valuable references. When properly archived and easily accessible, they can be cited at any time.
Although attempts were made in the 1980s to establish newspapers in Imo State, it was not until the 1990s that newspapers began to appear in the state. Notably, Engr. Ezekiel Izuogu of Z600 fame founded Sunshine Newspaper, while Chief Reginald Amadi, now the traditional ruler of Obetiti Autonomous Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, endeavored to publish the Eagle Newspaper. Though the Eagle Newspaper was domiciled in Lagos, it circulated more in ethnic homeland of its publisher. Additionally, there were the Opinion Newspaper founded by Dr. Chuks Osuji, and the National Post, a subsidiary of Champion Newspapers founded by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, established in the late 1990s. Before then, there was The Horn Newspaper established by Chief Onii Egbuine in 1990.
The proliferation of newspapers in Owerri commenced in the early 2000s. The late Chief Samfo Nwankwo (Owuru Izuogu), an activist, founded National Question Newspaper in 2000 to support his activism. The entry of the late Chief Joe Anyama, a journalist, into the newspaper publishing business in 2000 with the establishment of Announcer Newspaper encouraged other journalists to venture into the enterprise.
Nigeria Newspoint Newspaper joined the industry in 2003, founded by Gele Agbai, Lambert Ojukwu, and Bright Chimezie Njoku. Five years later, Njoku branched out to establish Nigerian Horn and subsequently launched The Onion Newspaper, while Agbai went independent in 2014 to establish National Newsbreak Newspaper, leaving Ojukwu to manage Nigeria Newspoint.
Currently, there are approximately 20 privately owned newspapers in Owerri, including White Paper, Trumpeta, Eastern Lead Express, First Citizen, Newsday Express, National Newsblast, Nigerian Newsguide, City Star, Hero Express, Eastern News, Spartan, Edge Express, Frontline Express, Daily Brief, Newsbearer and The Big Truth. These newspapers are owned and managed by journalists, which is a notable strength.
The journalist-owners, being professionals, possess a deep understanding of the market and are unlikely to create excessive bureaucracy. Their staffing levels are optimized to eliminate excess, thereby maintaining low overhead costs.
Due to the absence of large corporations with substantial advertising budgets, newspapers in Imo State heavily rely on patronage from politicians, communities, associations, and petition writers for their survival.
Ideally, the state government, whose activities constitute the majority of newspaper coverage, should establish business relationships with Imo-based newspapers. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Under Chief Achike Udenwa, there was minimal relationship between the newspapers and the state and local government councils. The administration of Dr. Ikedi Ohakim between 2007 and 2011 collaborated with local newspapers and provided them with financial support.
The Owelle Rochas Okorocha administration did what it could. The current administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma is also making efforts. However, publishers believe that the Uzodimma administration could do more than it is currently doing.
Fortunately, the world has become a global village. Patronage through sponsorship, advertisement, and grants come to newspapers based in Imo State from around the globe.
Diasporans place goodwill messages and advertorials in Owerri-based newspapers from their distant locations. With the advent of the internet, they can now access both physical and digital editions of the newspapers, unlike in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Thus, the minimal industrial base of the state no longer poses a significant impediment to the viability of the media organizations.
The proximity of publishers and editors of the newspapers to the citizens represents both a strength and a weakness. As sons and daughters of the land, publishers and editors sometimes face pressure from their kin, who may object to the publication of reports perceived as offensive. On the other hand, commercial advertisements are sometimes placed in newspapers because the publishers are kin who must be supported.
The advent of the internet is also both a blessing and a challenge. People today primarily consume news online. Imo-based newspapers are adapting to this trend. Almost all of them have a presence on social media. None are without a website, X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. Like national newspapers, they are also generating revenue from social media. With their presence on social media, the newspapers can no longer be classified as local.
To be successful, a company, like an individual, requires two things: capital and skill. If it has capital, it can acquire skill, and if it has skill, it can attract capital. Newspapers in Owerri must strive to possess both. This is where banks should offer assistance. In fact, most of the newspapers have skill but lack adequate finances. Banks should provide credit to serious newspaper companies in the state to increase their capital and expand their operations. Newspapers could also consider forming alliances, pooling resources together to broaden the scope of their operations.
The initiative by the Imo Newspaper Publishers Association (INPA) to raise N200 million to establish a Media Resource Centre is highly commendable. As Sir Modestus Nwamkpa, Publisher of The Big Truth Newspaper, stated, the realization of the centre would significantly enhance the businesses of association members. This is why governments, industry leaders, and political figures must support the association.
The newspaper companies are providing valuable services to the state. They contribute to reducing insecurity and crime by employing local residents, thereby removing them from the growing labour market. With full-time engagement, these individuals are less likely to engage in criminal activities or deprive others of their hard-earned resources
