Policy Briefs
News Track: Amidst Challenges, The New Diplomat Newspapers Still Going Strong at 2
Oma Djebah
With on-going challenges including threats to lives associated with publishing a strong, vibrant, ethical and most professional newspaper that strives to lead in full blown investigative reporting with a knack for exposing hidden corruption in high-places like The New Diplomat, clocking two years on the news-stand and on our online platforms, is worth celebrating.
The New Diplomat with its all gloss, all colour packages which is a beauty to behold it has been a daunting challenge to remain strong in the media industry but the boldness, vision, strong resilience of the Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of the newspaper, Mr Oma Djebah who insists that the publication remains true to its vision and mission of being a leader in investigative reporting in Nigeria, has ensured that the newspaper continues to soldier on not with-standing threats and challenges from various quarters across the land . As the newspaper hits two years in the industry, Editor, Olamilekan Okeowo chronicles The New Diplomat’s journey in reshaping the industry and re-defining the practice professional and committed Journalism in Nigeria.
When The New Diplomat Newspaper hit the newsstand nation-wide across Nigeria in June 2015 in its standard format, the newspaper had the mandate and vision of rewriting the tenets of journalism in the country with bold, very daring investigative and exclusive stories, breathtaking interviews, thought-provoking editorials and incisive and objective articles. The mission and vision is simple; to be the best newspaper in Nigeria especially in terms of content. To report those hidden corruption in high-places; to tell the truth with clinical effectiveness to its beloved readers and to generate and re-chronicle hard facts feed-backs from the citizenry in form of citizen journalism for all Nigerians and indeed the global community.
Guided by that philosophy, The New Diplomat which is from the stables of The New Diplomat Multimedia Ltd in its short time in the industry has become Nigeria’s premier publication of choice for News, Business, Politics and leadership, with an unrivaled diplomatic appeal. Some of its well investigated earth-shaking, sizzling and revealing reports on dirty deals and corruption in high-places, have also come with severe consequences. For examples; In 2015, when The New Diplomat blew the lid open how some influential and very powerful political and public figures and associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the Bank of Industry(BoI) stripped the assets of the financial institution to the tune of N40bn, it set the tone for a new brand of radical journalism in Nigeria. Those hidden acts that have never been reported to the beloved readers started receiving attention! Those affected threatened to bring down the roof but the newspaper maintained its stand and remained unbowed to the whims and caprices of a corrupt few who milk Nigeria dry while the majority suffer daily in penury! Again, in another explosive report, the newspaper detailed How Axe Dangles over Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Emefiele as Forex Crisis Worsens. Like other reports, it generated reactions. Others include, ‘’Reckless Governors Unveiled.. as States Share N1.2Trillion”, N756BN Deals: Fidelity, Skye, Diamond, Six Other Banks Mess Worsen”, “As EFCC intensifies Anti-graft War, Key Bigwigs Hiding…Exposed!”
With a team of dedicated professionals, The New Diplomat has made its mark as a major platform for effective interaction between innovation, leadership, diplomacy, business and public policy. The Newspaper’s cardinal principle of truth, justice, equity, honesty, and balance is the bedrock of its operations thereby becoming the first choice of readers and advertisers alike
Since its arrival in the industry The New Diplomat has raised the bar and set the standard for what a modern newspaper should stand for with objective, non-partisan, uncompromising commitment to the reportage of local and international happenings with accuracy, balance, comprehensiveness, integrity, truthfulness and without any religious political and economic leanings.
It couldn’t have been possible without the vision of The New Diplomat’s publisher and Editor-In-chief, Mr Oma Djebah, the quintessential seasoned international journalist with almost three decades experience in the industry. He is the first Nigerian Journalist to speak at the High-level United Nation’s UN Conference on African’s development in 2006 and the second African Journalist to be so honoured in that capacity. His article “This House Must Stand!” was also listed in the UN’s prestigious publication known as the Daily List. Mr Djebah who was educated at the Universities of Calabar, Lagos(Nigerai), Orebro(Sweden) and Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, Massachusets, has served with distinction at both the public and private sectors in various capacities.
Mr Djebah, a Harvard trained Public Policy expert and a former editorial board member of THISDAY newspaper with an extensive and varied experience in both the private and public sectors for over two decades at national, regional and global levels has been able to bring his experience to bear in navigating the affairs of the newspaper to ensure that the newspaper remained bold and consistent with its vision in the face of the daunting challenges facing the industry.
With a good focus, the newspaper has been able to attract some international figures into its Editorial Advisory Board. Amongst them are Dr. Ayo Teriba, Dr. Roland Stanbridge, Mr. Kayode Idowu, Prof. Ehiedu Iweriebor, Amb. Eloho Etobo, Mr. Bode Oluwafemi, Prof Onookome Okome, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, Prof Duke Ophori, Mr. Eddy Odivwri, Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, and Mr. Oseloka Obaze.
The newspaper also boasts of a mixture of young and seasoned veterans in the industry like Olamilekan Okeowo, Austin Osayande, John Oghojafor, Kufre Akanimore, Dotun Akintomide, amongst others. Ifeanyi Hamilton Nwosa , head of Administration Department is multi-talented ensures that the newspaper is in a fine format. And the printing and circulation Department under the control of Soga Titilayo, has been great.
In a press release, the publisher, Mr Djebah is also quick to acknowledge the role of the readers and advertisers in the success story of the newspaper “We couldn’t have achieved all these without our esteemed readers and advertisers who have stood by us all these while and we are highly grateful to them all”.Mr Djebah promised that The New Diplomat will endeavour to remain true and committed to its vision, mission and leadership position in investigative reporting, stressing that” not with-standing the trials, tribulations and challenges, the newspaper has remained focused and bold and dynamic”. He promised not to relent in ensuring the newspaper maintain its pride of place in the industry.
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