The Niche Newspaper Unveiled In Lagos

It was with pomp and pageantry that dignitaries from all walks of life gathered at the formal launch of TheNiche newspaper, a weekly news publication, that debuted on the newsstands recently.

Though, TheNiche came to media limelight on April 27, 2014, it was not until August 16, when the crème de la crème of Nigerian society gathered at the Eko Hotels and Towers for its formal presentation to the public.
Many of the prominent personalities who attended the gathering took turns to commend the uniqueness of the newspaper, even as they praised its richness, incisive content, as well as its depth, presentation and design. Many were quick to ask its management to go daily, so as to extend the Sunday paper to more readers.
In his opening remark, the former Director General of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Prof. Anya O. Anya said the newspaper had indeed carved a niche for itself, especially with its printing and designs, photography and readability.
“TheNiche, it is fair to say, stands apart from any Nigerian newspaper today in the clarity of its printing, the sharp definition of its photography and the lucidity and readability of its writing. If, as our late compatriot Chinua Achebe once reminded us, ‘it is yet morning on creation day’ and if we remember the old saying that the tenor of the morning may proclaim the texture of the day, we have cause for great expectations.
“For TheNiche, as it stands today, it is easily the best newspaper on offer in a very competitive and fast evolving industry, given the complexity and pace of modern technology. You find the standard very high, and I hope you will keep challenging yourselves to maintain the standard that you set,” Anya said.
Similarly, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, said TheNiche had come to raise the bar in the area of newspaper packaging in the Nigerian media industry. Orji, who was represented by represented by the Abia State Secretary to the State Government, Mkpa A. Mkpa, said from his preliminary assessment, the newspaper was unique.
“From preliminary observation, TheNiche is the best newspaper presently in the country in terms of content, depth, quality and the packaging. It is the wish of the governor to see the newspaper go daily very quickly, so as to offer the Nigerian reading public its extraordinary offering. TheNiche has created a niche for itself,” Mkpa said.
In his own remark, the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, described the management team of the newspaper as one that comprised core media professionals that “are committed to nation building.”
“TheNiche is a very quality newspaper. Its journalists are thoroughbred professionals. These are people I have known over the years. I do hope that the paper will go daily very soon,” Umeh said.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, praised TheNiche quality as a newspaper. Anyim, who was represented by Sam Nwaobasi, said with the crop of journalists at TheNiche and the quality articles being dished out, the newspaper meant well for Nigeria.
Earlier in his speech, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of TheNiche newspaper, Ikechukwu Amaechi, said the news publication was actually established to bring a difference to the newspaper business.
“Many people argue that the newspaper industry is saturated and, therefore, we should not try. But only those who dare can conquer. We decided to challenge the cynicism that has become the most potent threat to the media industry in Nigeria, particularly the print media,” Amaechi said.
The newspaper MD said even though the publication had not triumphed yet, the fact that it was still here was a proof that it had conquered the fear of failure. He added that not doing anything would have amounted to classical definition of failure.
“Why a Sunday newspaper? The answer is simple, most Sunday newspapers in Nigeria are mere extensions of their daily titles. There is little distinction. This void is what we in TheNiche seek to fill. In doing this, we will try to present stories that are well investigated and cover all sides objectively. We will be thorough and shall gain the public trust. We can only achieve this if exclusivity is our watch word. We so pledge because we are aware that a great newspaper is characterized by integrity, accuracy, responsibility and leadership,” Amaechi said.
In a lecturer he delivered titled, ‘The Challenge of Believing,’ Prof. Anya, lamented the cynicism that many Nigerians have about their country, even as he appealed to the media to help change the negative attitude, saying: “when one surveys the lie of the national landscape – political, social, economic and normative – we may be forgiven if we confidently proclaim that our nation is presently passing through very difficult times.”
“But given the national tendency to overdramatize and even exaggerate the untoward, one might be tempted to ask if that were the whole truth. For if truth be told, there is no other nation today whose citizens deride her and speak ever so often in such negative terms of their nation as Nigerians do of Nigeria.
“We are always competing (even within the leadership) in our telling of the most derogatory and unwholesome tales of our nation. We have all contributed to a new definition of the meaning of patriotism through our negativity. We encourage others to deride our nation,” Anya said.
Other personalities at the events include, former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Mutasllab Olufemi, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, represented by his Media Adviser, Hakeem Bello and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, represented by House member, Abike Dabiri.
Others include Mainstreet Bank Executive Director, Ano Anyanwu, Ford Foundation West Africa representative, Innocent Chukwuma, Independent Newspapers Managing Director, Ted Iwere, and the Sun Newspapers Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Femi Adesina.