The Ndokwa Media Professionals Forum (NMPF) has commended Ndokwa Vanguard Newspaper for its unwavering commitment to community journalism, celebrating the publication’s 20th anniversary as a remarkable milestone in giving the Ndokwa people a voice.
Speaking at the anniversary event, Mr. Bartholomew Ozah, chairman of NMPF, praised the publisher for sustaining the newspaper for two decades, noting that the achievement reflects dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism. “When you pick up a newspaper, you may think it’s just paper, but it goes far beyond that. There’s a lot of processing, sacrifice, and professionalism involved in what comes out as a finished publication,” he said.
Mr. Ozah highlighted the publisher’s mission to provide a platform for the Ndokwa people to express their views and concerns, describing it as a noble vision. However, he observed that the community has yet to fully adopt the newspaper as its collective voice. “I wish our political class, our leaders, and our people would see Ndokwa Vanguard as their own voice. The press can only reflect the community it serves. It is what the people give that the media develops, analyzes, and presents to the world,” he added.
The NMPF chairman further challenged community leaders and citizens to engage the media more proactively. “The media can fight battles that ordinary people cannot. The American scholar Thomas Jefferson once said he would prefer newspapers without government to government without newspapers — because he understood the power of the press. The press speaks for you, agitates for you, and can influence government decisions,” he said.
Addressing misconceptions about modern journalism, Mr. Ozah clarified the distinction between trained journalists and social media commentators. “Not everyone who posts online is a journalist. To be recognized as a professional journalist, one must undergo formal training — at least to the level of an OND in Mass Communication or Journalism. That’s what makes you a professional, not just the ability to post on Facebook,” he explained.
He urged the Ndokwa people to take full ownership of Ndokwa Vanguard, emphasizing the importance of using the newspaper as a platform to project community interests. “If this kind of event were happening elsewhere, political leaders and community heads would seize the opportunity to speak and engage. We must learn to do the same,” he noted.
In conclusion, Mr. Ozah congratulated the publisher for his resilience and dedication. “On behalf of Ndokwa Media Professionals Forum, I say congratulations. May your ink never dry, and may Ndokwa Vanguard continue to grow from strength to strength,” he said, calling on the community to support the newspaper as a vital instrument for advocacy and representation.
