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By Ambrose Ologide
It is not a mean or common feat for an organization to clock 25 years anniversary in a developing society .
Though there may be some ups and downs during the period, such an organization deserve some applauds .
This is the case of The Urhobo Voice Newspaper which deserve more applauds as a trail blazer in grassroot or community newspaper engineering in the Niger Delta since its advent 25 years ago.
For The Urhobo Voice will be 25 years on newsstand on Wednesday 27th October, 2021.
This calls for joy of every good spirited Urhobo person and indeed other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta Region.
Prior to the advent of The Urhobo Voice , it was rare or almost difficult for a common Niger Deltan to make his / her opinion heard in a newspaper.
It was only the affluence or privileged that had the opportunity to do so in the national dailies.
It is also true that the initiative of The Urhobo Voice grassroot or community newspaper engineering gave birth to community based newspapers in the region.
It is note worthy to state that prior to the advent of The Urhobo Voice, most national dailies did not have columns for community affairs.
The management of such national dailies which now have columns for community affairs , perhaps after seeing the success of The Urhobo Voice on grassroot journalism created such columns .
This also give credence to the fact that every news medium has its target audience.
It is also gladden to note that some distinguished personalities in the profession of news writing and journalism started their carrier and cut their teeth in The Urhobo Voice Newspaper.
Worthy of mentioned were : a current press secretary to a South – South governor, a former corporate communication manager to a popular airline, a current editor of a reputable national daily and a senior special assistant ( SSA ) to President General Urhobo Progress Union ( UPU ) Worldwide.
Others were : publishers of online media , ace reporters in national dailies , Delta State and Federal ministries of information.
Including : the current chairmen of Warri and Ughelli Correspondent chapels , publisher a Sapele based community newspaper, top advertising, public relations , marketing personnel among others .
The Urhobo Voice also offered opportunities to scores of media students on industrial attachments annually
So the Publisher of The Urhobo Voice, Chief Ogbemure Imene should be applauded for his initiative on thehe establishment of such a great community newspaper in the Niger Delta Region.
However one cannot end this piece , without noting painfully that most community newspapers that were established after The Urhobo Voice are no more in existence.
This was probably due to poor management and other factors . But the most common factor , is poor and unpatriotic attitude of Niger Deltans towards community newspapers.
Most Niger Deltans erroneously belief that newspapers strive through copy sales ; they are ignorant of the fact that the major means or livelihood of a newspaper is advert patronage.
Considering the above fact, it is therefore disappointing to state that most Niger Deltans prefer patronizing national dailies on adverts for their businesses and social events.
They see community newspapers as ‘ local papers ‘ . And if they do advertised in community newspapers, they do so on negotiations to a very disadvantageous level on the side of the community newspapers or on credit.
These unpatriotic individuals and organizations see community newspapers as veritable means of settling scores with opponents and boasting their ego.
This is sheer wickedness to say the least. Community newspapers in other regions of the country particularly in the South – West strive, because the Yorubas know the importance of grassroot journalism and therefore they patronise community newspapers more . More so when patronizing community newspapers is far cheaper
However Delta State Government, some patriotic individuals, kingdoms , churches and organizations should be applauded and appreciated for their support and patronage of The Urhobo Voice all these years . They should continue in order to take The Urhobo Voice to greater heights.
While applauding the Publisher of The Urhobo Voice , Chief Ogbemure Monday Imene and his formidable team on the 25th years anniversary of the newspaper, they should not rest on their oars .
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