Lake Chad Times Newspaper Debuts in Maiduguri

Our Editor

The Lake Chad Times, a new local newspaper dedicated to telling the region’s stories from an indigenous perspective, has been officially launched in Maiduguri.

The unveiling ceremony, held at the Amani Event Centre in Maiduguri, also marked the presentation of the newspaper’s five-year strategic plan aimed at reshaping the media landscape in Borno State.

Speaking at the event, Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, praised the media environment under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, describing it as “safe and harmonious.”

Prof. Tar emphasised the governor’s commitment to supporting local media outlets, recognising the crucial role they play in the Borno Restoration Agenda.

He described the media as crucial partners in the Borno Restoration Agenda and expressed the governor’s commitment to supporting indigenous news platforms.

The Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Zulum, Alhaji Abdulrahman Ahmed Bundi, echoed this sentiment, affirming that the governor is always ready to support local media initiatives.

In his remarks, Prof. Tar commended the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Correspondents’ Chapel for their steadfast support during the state’s most challenging and triumphant times, particularly during the peak of the insurgency.

He called on all media practitioners to nurture the new newspaper, highlighting the importance of having local media tell the region’s stories.

“For too long, our stories have been told by outsiders. While we appreciate the work of the NUJ and the Correspondents’ Chapel, it is crucial to have our own indigenous media to shift the narrative and tell our stories in our own way,” Prof. Tar added.

He also advised the newspaper to focus on positive narratives as Borno State recovers from years of insurgency, urging the paper to highlight the significant strides made under Governor Zulum in areas such as security, education, health, agriculture, and housing.

Voice of Nigeria