By Onomiguren Agbamu
The publisher and editor-in-chief of Ndokwa Vanguard, Chief Alaska Ekele, has said that the sole aim of establishing Ndokwa Vanguard newspaper was to give a voice to his people
Alaska stated this during an interview at his hometown in Ukwuani ahead of the newspaper’s 20th anniversary slated for October 11, 2025.
Alaska explained that Ndokwa Vanguard has remained a source of accurate community news reporting, features, and has averted intra- and inter-communal wars through her community social responsibilities.
He also revealed that over 200 students have undergone training in mass communication in tertiary institutions in and around Delta State, and still counting.
He said, “Ndokwa Vanguard is a source of research material and has served as a bridge builder, I have created employment with the publication. Above all, it has added Ukwuani nation to the league of ethnic nationalities with community newspapers.”
He noted that the newspaper business is highly capital intensive and would have quit if not that he is determined and has a passion for it.
“To the glory of God, we are 20 years in the business, and I can tell you that it is a rough road to travel. At a point, I almost gave up because the reading culture of Ndokwa is relatively very low.
He said, “Our publications matches international standards. Mere seeing our paper, you would notice that it derived its pattern from Vanguard Newsper standard. The only difference is the name”
“Ndokwa Vanguard remains a source of accurate news reporting features, and so with our publications we have been able to avert intra- and inter-communal wars in many Ukwuani communities”
“Through our Community Social Responsibility, CSR, we have given practical training to over 200 mass communication students from tertiary institutions in and around Delta State, and we are still counting”
“Our young men and women have been legally hooked through our “Ndokwa Vanguard Queen.”
“Ndokwa Vanguard has served as a source of research material and a bridge builder. I have created employment with the publication, and above all, it has added Ukwuani nation to the league of ethnic nationalities with community newspaper”.
“The primary purpose of establishing Ndokwa Vanguard was to give my people a voice and to let them know that it was possible”.
“We have trained scholars in this business, and they should be able to brace up to the challenges.
On the research centre, he said, “The idea is to impact the next generation saying there are many things about Ndokwa that are fading out gradually, and most facts you read about Ukwuani ethnic nation are not real and have been distorted
He commended Okwa Barrister C.I. Egwuenu and Admiral MCO Onah (Rtd) for their support to making sure that the publication gets to all sons and daughters of Ndokwa nation.
Others are HRM Friday Abaja, Sir Amb Dele Omenogor, Chief Francis Opute, Sir Duke Anowa , and Barrister Leonard Anoka who have continued to offer philanthropic gesture.
He, however, advised that people should develop objective minds and seek information because information is power.
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