ALI-OGBA QUARTERLY

(Proposed Project)

1.0    INTRODUCTION

1.1    OVERVIEW

The OGBA SOLIDARITY (OSO) saw the need for a community news magazine and so came up with the OGBA QUARTERLY. During the period it took a space on the newsstand it made an impressive impact. However, while members of the editorial board were willing to continue in its production the problem of poor funding gnawed away at the process until production was prematurely aborted.

It has to be noted that several attempts have been made by others before us to establish a truly OGBA community paper and failed. Again, people are not tired of making fresh attempts so that a new magazine, OGBA was launched by another group sometime in 2004.

It is proposed that we produce ALI-OGBA QUARTERLY on a solid foundation to ensure its survival.

2.0    JUSTIFICATION

ALI-OGBA requires a truly community newspaper that should provide some form of reading material for the rural folk. And that strive to promote the level of literacy and social awareness, or bridge the gap between the urban and rural sector news. In this era when almost every ethnic group has its own newspaper to advance its cause, this venture becomes imperative.

However, such venture must be sustained over time and must fulfill the desire it set out to achieve.

Funding a new community newspaper may have been a worthwhile venture, but the list of the obituaries has become too long.

3.0    CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEWSPAPER

a.  It should be published at LGA Headquarter Omoku

b. It should publish 500 copies for a start.

c.  It should contain 10 pages.

d. It should take advertisement of merchants, traders, obituaries and other local information.

4.0    CONTENT OF THE NEWSPAPER

a.  The newspaper must carry features which the readers can identify with.

b. It should focus on development needs of the community to satisfy needs and aspirations of the people.

c.  The paper should define its purpose; have a definite focus which would define its content and philosophy.

d. A bulk of the news item should be home news, occupations and employments opportunities peculiar to the community, local school, children, festivals and other local activities.

e. Foreign news should be slim and should not unduly influence the character and flavour of the newspaper.

5.0    CIRCULATION

The sale of the newspaper through street vendors will fail. The following are suggested:

a.  Subscriptions: individuals should take out subscriptions and pay at the end of the month or in advance. It is good to deal with individual on merit. All the kindred in Ogba could be convinced to receive and pay for copies at all times.

b. Sales at important community centers and buildings.

6.0    PRODUCTION

a.  As a Quarterly (this could change over time) there is a relaxed production pace: there is time to prepare well.

b. With the 10 pages and 500 copies for a start the overhead is reduced considerably, enabling funds to go for quality.

c.  The input of desktop publishing will improve quality.

7.0    MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE

a.  Two (2) persons could operate and manage the newspaper. One serving as editor, business manager, production manager etc; while the other may fill in the position of a book keeper, bill collector, reporter and society editor. We suggest that two (2) - a male and a female- National Youth Service Corps members be hired for the purposes. A third person may be a graphic artist / type setter.

b. To further reduce cost, part time employees should be taken. These include guest writers, adverts canvassers, lineage correspondents etc. There payment should be on commission basis.

c.  Advertising-these would include (i) classified (b) retail trade (iii) court notices (iv) local government information (v) obituaries and local festivals.

8.0    DECISION MAKING

The decision making process will rest in the hands of owners of the newspaper.

9.0    LATENT PERIOD

It is expected that the pressure of production will be low. Staff could use such periods to make extra money for the organization, such as typesetting and graphic work for the public.

10.    COST

This proposal takes into account take off publication only. The venture should be able to pay itself after the first edition.

Prices did not take care of fluctuations; it could best serve as a guide.