In 2002, I did my industrial attachment at African Voice newspaper, and after completing my course in journalism and computing, I returned to start the writing career I love so much. I realised that African Voice occupies a premier position among the ethnic media in the UK and, as the name suggests, is the voice of Africans living the UK without hope or voice, whose activities and events are largely unreported. I took the decision to remain with the paper that brought fresh air to the ethnic media in the UK in the early days.
People looked forward to every Friday when African Voice hit the newsstands. Its coverage was and is still embracing news from the British Isles, but this has been expanded to incorporate Africa-based news and events, as well as news from other parts of the world.
From 2005 to 2010, African Voice transformed its presentation, paper quality, news input and editorial and picture quality. From starting as a features writer, I moved up to become Chief Features Writer and later News Editor. With many professional hands on board and an editorial board chairman from academia, the paper entered into a phase where it has been able to meet the tempo of commercialisation and professionalism in the media age.
Readership was increased by an enhanced distribution network, which saw the paper being read in UK restaurants, hotels, libraries and churches, as well as African high commissions and embassies in the UK.
The newspaper’s sponsorship of the Afro Hollywood Awards, which later became the African Film Awards, extended the readership to Nigeria, even to such far flung cities as Kano. In the Federal capital territory, Abuja, it has received favourable reviews. Its sister magazine, Nigeria Abroad, has received reviews from the former Nigeria Central Bank Governor, Prof Soludo.
African Voice’s devotion to the promotion of tourism, African art and wildlife has endeared it to fans in Africa, especially ministries of tourism, and to conservationists nationwide. One of the enduring legacies of the paper is not just coverage of news and events, but its fulfilment of the fourth responsibility of the media – namely social responsibility. We have uncovered injustice, reported stories of graft and acted to advocate for people In the African community who feel short-changed and disgruntled.
As well as highlighting issues of social justice, equity and fairness as they affect Africans in the UK community, we have highlighted talent amongst the youth, especially in sports, the arts, education and politics. We realised that Africans face specific problems in the UK, ranging from discrimination and victimisation to low pay. African Voice has been at the forefront in highlighting these issues and, to the best of my knowledge, it will continue to do so in the forthcoming years. Here’s to the next 500! You are blessed.
Emmanuel Urhiofe
News Editor
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WOH!!!!!!! I welcome the success of African Voice Newspaper on reaching it’s 500th edition.
I have always looked forward to reading African Voice, which is without doubt informative and current.
It features and highlights many exciting headlines from Nigeria and other African countries, which keeps us well informed.
I remember when this newspaper was launched, and I take pride in announcing that I was among the early readers of African Voice and also introduced it to Enfield Council for Nigerian and other interested readers. It is the determination, hard work and efficiency of the publisher & Editor-in-Chief that has brought forth the success of this long journey.
It must have been a challenging period, yet you worked with effective strategies to secure a sustainable improvement and outcome.
That is fantastic, what a great achievement. CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We look forward to its 1000th edition!!!!
Cllr Kate Anolue
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This is an era when digital media of all sorts are more and more the predominant news force and with their child-like capacity, as if throbbing for constant attention of readerships with their bold insouciance, especially for facts and realities, can make newspapers seem as dated as old television reruns. Without doubt African Voice Newspaper has overcome the onslaught of competition due to its appeal in bridging the gap between the mainstream media, as a result of its deep-rooted knowledge in interpreting British Government Policies.
This invaluable newspaper must avoid the fate of the dinosaur. It must continue to be a particular weekly newspaper which is special for particular reasons. I am glad to note that, despite the Internet clutter and jazz, the African Voice Newspaper has become the source of particular news that we yearn for weekly.
I congratulate my friends and colleagues at the African Voice Newspaper. This weekly paper is a wondrous thing. I am moved by this 500th Edition Celebration.
MAY IT PUBLISH FOREVER.
A. Oladimeji
CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF ELDERS.
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I have been involved with African Voice Newspaper since 2003 when they published an article about me being the first black person to be a First Citizen of the London Borough of Newham. Since then I have followed their news and events as they give a very good account of the successes of the Africans in Diaspora and put them in the limelight. They keep abreast of the latest developments both here and abroad.
African Voice has been an interesting newspaper that brings us news and developments that happen all over the world from an African perspective. I do wish African Voice all the best in the future as they publish their 500th edition
Cllr Joy Laguda MBE
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I recall attending a brainstorming event on Nigeria’s future around 1995, organised by Shell Petroleum at their London headquarters. I remember it because of an insight into Nigeria that was given by someone who was looking at Nigeria from the outside rather than from “on ground” as our people say. What this Indian gentleman shared with us was the most profound insight into Nigeria that any individual has given.
What he said then as to why he was not optimistic for our future was “the absence of institutions of any age”. Pointing to the Congress Party of India (formed in 1885) and the African National Congress of South Africa (formed in 1910), he challenged anyone of us to name a socio-political institution in Nigeria that was more than 50 years old.
This short lesson in the importance of staying power to the growth and development of a people that was given to us by this Indian national has remained with me ever since. It seems an apt lesson to share as we congratulate Mike Abiola and his team at the African Voice on this 500th edition of their publication.
Dele Ogun
Author of the Law the Law years and the Lawless
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I wish to congratulate African Voice on the occasion of their 500th edition. Africa needed a voice in the Diaspora and African Voice has delivered on a grand scale. You have been truly our voice and gateway into the attitude and achievements of the new African Diaspora.
I am sure that you have also created a link between Africans in Diaspora and many of their home governments, thus availing them the opportunity to have a say in how their countries are run while providing the much needed support to their governments. Well done!”
Jenny Okafor.
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Once upon a time, Africans arrived on the shores of Britain through trading and slave routes. Now we voluntarily come into the UK for various reasons.
There are a number of key areas in which Africans are making enormous contributions to the UK economy and society, such as healthcare, law, education, social care and many others.
Particularly in London, and most UK major cities, Africans are employed in a range of jobs in healthcare (NHS) and the sales industry. These vary from top consultants and specialists in various hospitals to nurses and auxiliary workers.
Africans have opened up their own businesses in many sectors of the economy. Opening businesses that cater to our need has offered employment to thousands of people, thereby helping the UK economy.
Through business activities, Africans are supporting and encouraging trade between the UK and other European and African countries. Trying to succinctly express my thoughts on the vast contributions of British Africans to the UK economy is no easy feat, but it is evident that Africans have a lot to offer and are contributing immensely to the growth of the UK economy.
Dr Peter Ozua
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I write on behalf of myself and that of the organisation I represent, The Engineering Forum of Nigerians (UK). Firstly, we say a big congratulations to African Voice and its Editor-in-Chief/CEO, Prince Mike Abiola for a job well done over the years since we started our involvement with the newspaper.
We have found African Voice to be a genuine newspaper for the people that it represents. It possesses an ability to carry and project the voice of us British Africans in the UK and allows us to express ourselves openly without any hidden agenda. We are grateful to African Voice for helping us to promote our organisation’s aim to bring Nigerian engineers together and for supporting all our event, both in the UK and in Nigeria.
We wish African Voice newspaper and all of its staff a successful 500th edition celebration and hope that it will continue to grow stronger for many more editions to come.
Happy Celebration, Long live African Voice Newspaper !
Dr Sunday Popo-Ola MEng, PhD, DIC, FHEA, MNSE, COREN
President
Engineering Forum of Nigerians EFN(UK)
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According to a Chinese proverb, the journey of a thousand years begins with a single step. However, in the newspaper industry, not every publication that takes the first step has the staying power to look back with pride and celebrate it’s 500th edition. That the African Voice ha achieved this landmark is a huge testimony to the commitment of the Publisher, Mike Abiola, his dedicated team and the support of the African community.
But beyond the longevity is the incredible work of giving voice to the African community in the United Kingdom. The newspaper has, over the past years of it’s existence, been at the forefront of not only giving a voice to the African community, but equally at the forefront of bringing to light the unsung heroes of the community and stories which the mainstream media often overlook. Long live, African Voice and hope to see you on the newsstand when you publish your 1000th edition.
Tunde Oyedoyin
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I think it is fair to say that the African Voice has earned its place in journalism history. It has been documenting the collective memories of the African diaspora in the host country while reconnecting them to their home country since 2001.
As it commemorates its 500 edition, the newspaper should be proud of its achievement in upstaging other competitors to satisfy the information, education and entertainment needs of the African diaspora. Its news content helps the readers to make sense of the world and their position in it. Its education content helps them to understand how the system works and to appreciate and be proud of the positive contributions of black people to Britain. Its entertainment content helps to reinforce a sense of belonging by reconnecting them to their music, films and cultural activities.
The African Voice has not only established itself as a platform for projecting black perspectives on civic issues,
but also as a resource for research. It is a resource for collating empirical data about the appropriation of journalistic practices by the African diaspora and about how they engage in self-representation and contest the negative and stereotypical representation of black people in the mainstream media.
Dr Ola Ogunyemi
Director of College Academic Affairs
Principal Lecturer in Journalism
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The Sickle Cell Society and NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme (NHSSCTSP) congratulate African Voice newspaper on publication of their 500th edition!
In these times of austerity newspapers and magazines particularly in the African and Caribbean communities are struggling to survive and African Voice must therefore be applauded for achieving this milestone. ‘Britain’s No 1 African Newspaper’ has indeed provided weekly news and feature articles of relevance and interest to its mainly African and Caribbean readership.
In particular, I am happy the team has always been receptive to working jointly to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, a condition more prevalent among its readership. From reporting on the launch of the first ever UK Standards of Care for Adults with sickle cell disease in 2008 to taking part in our 2013 Valentine media campaign to raise awareness of couple testing for haemoglobin genotype, African Voice has covered it all.
Additionally team member and actress Golda John stars in our ‘Nollywood’ film ‘The Family Legacy’ which is being successfully used in our sickle cell awareness outreach programme! Once again congratulations team and long may you continue educating and entertaining your readership!
Iyamide Thomas, Sickle Cell Society/ NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme Outreach Project Lead
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“The African Voice Newspaper came into the scene when none of the media gave direct regular coverage to issues that were really relevant to Africans themselves.
It came to cover that despicable gap and has consistently tried to offer a coverage that is both relevant and regular, and it has done so in the face of sometimes very difficult circumstances and in a socio-cultural and political context that is generally adverse to the point of stultifying.
That it has consistently published is something to cheer, but that it has fought doggedly on so long to its 500th edition,
and that in forbidden territory, is a truly remarkable achievement.
As we celebrate this event, we all ought to also pray and work to see that it stays on to celebrate its 1000th and indeed it’s 1,000,000th edition. May it become part of the history of the African success especially here in the United Kingdom when that history is written in the ages to come.
Revd Greg Obong-Oshotse
Pastor of The Living Lighthouse
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Since the year 2000 we have witnessed an unprecedented change in the context of our humanity. We are now quite literally connected to almost every part of the planet in an instant! More information has been generated in the past two years than all the data collected since writing began. The 21st century’s digitised, computer age has heralded hitherto unimaginable access to information and images that can be streamed, beamed or googled live into our screens or whatever device we have.
During that time the AFRICAN VOICE newspaper has stood out as an objective beacon that has enlightened, educated informed entertained and provoked us into action- it has built a global audience with thoughtful debate and incisive articles that look at the world’s issues through the perspective of the largest continent on earth. The African Voice has managed to remain original and cutting edge because of its broad base or articles and global contributors that has given depth and understanding to often complex issues. Objective and rigorous journalistic practice has meant that the paper has gained a reputation-for integrity and accuracy, which are much needed commodities in the world of 24 hour news bombardment.
With the proliferation of so many news providers, finding a source that is accurate and fair is not always easy. For those of us who wish to gain knowledge and wisdom from the African perspective as well as understand the challenges that face the Continent, The African Voice remains unsurpassed as a beacon of light in these challenging times; and its 500th issue is a testimony to the tenacity and dedication of Mike Abiola, Golda John and all those who have contributed to the growth and sustainability of this important enterprise.
Revd Claudette Douglas
Pastor, Poet, Performer.
SPIRIT FIRST ENCOUNTERS
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I have been privileged to be associated with one of the leading ‘Britain’s Best African Newspaper’, The African Voice.
A uniqueness aspect of the African Voice Newspapers contribution to the African community in the United Kingdom is that the newspaper has served the African and local community by giving them a voice where other mainstream newspapers have failed. In my view, they have a team of professional writers for both local and international news, sports, business and other events; who at all time have exceeded my imagination as a writer and analyst myself, living in Britain.
I recently had the good fortune of reading many of their articles regarding politics, sports and investment strategies back home in Nigeria, and at all time, I must say it was well-written, well-informed and also contained sound, practical advice.
What particularly impress me about the level of service provided to the African community by the African Voice Newspapers was years ago, when I was looking to advertise an event with a leading newspaper within a specific time-frame. I remember very well that the particular event was few days away at the time. I approached few other African newspapers based in London, but because of the time constrain I was told that it was too late to do any advertisement for my organisation and if they have to, then the financial ultimate is looking very high.
However, I rang the African Voice land line to inquire about the possibility of advertising our event within the short time-frame, simply because I was so particular about the exact day of the advert. To be honest, I have never been so happy, not only that the African Voice agreed to print the advert for us; it was done at the time without any extra financial extortion. I must also mention that their contribution through the advert provided an enormous and a positive outcome on our event.
I must also commend the act of professionalism exhibited by the CEO Mr. Mike Abiola and the entire staff of The African Voice Newspapers at all time, their contribution and display of loyalty to the African community and the media world prompted my decision to become a part time writer with the glorious African Voice. I also believe that all the staff and CEO of African Voice Newspapers deserve to be congratulated and also rewarded for providing an excellence of coverage’s at all time. A motivation to others and a sign of pure quality
Gbenga Adenuga
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For a long time, Africans in Great Britain were devoid of credible information about events revolving around ‘our’ issues. The little you heard came from The Voice, a newspaper that spoke more to the Caribbean than the African.
I remember the days of old when it took a while to glean credible news from Africa by phone or internet.
How you longed for new arrivals from ‘home’ to hear the latest gists from the motherland!
Then came African Voice to break this accustomed silence through its launching five hundred editions ago. In so doing, it did not only give us a hearing, African Voice gave Africans a voice too!
The paper and its eye catching editorial had since become a beacon, a shinning silver light in the midst of greys, a way out of myriad of confusion. Its mixture of well researched issues affecting the Africans in UK; the timely delivery of relevant news from home, the educational gospel page, the informative business sections, the much respected sports review and the coveted entertainment columns remain unmatched by its competitors in this ever increasing market.
It is my belief that this newspaper will keep growing in stature and influence beyond the coasts of this island, into lands far and wide, breaking language and national barriers.
I wish the Management and staff every success in future and long may African Voice rule the waves. Viva African Voice!
Pastor Casey Badejo
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Flamboyant style leaders and innovators, in a few short decades since the 60’s, Britain’s ethnic minorities have changed the complexion, the culture, the language, the fashion, the hairstyles, the dance styles and the church attendance of the United Kingdom, as well as introduced a preference for all-year round tans.
Whether it be the adoption of the canerow by global celebrities like David Beckham, to the wearing of hair extensions by female celebrities (from his wife, Victoria, to Paris Hilton to the girl next door), Black hairstyles have crossed over into the mainstream and are all the rage.
Street slang has also insidiously crept into both the Oxford English Dictionary and the mouths of the news anchors on prime time news. It is now nearly impossible to orally distinguish between the youth who all speak the same street dialect, regardless of colour.
Britain’s ethnic minorities are also forging ahead in all the main pillars of UK society. In politics, old stalwarts like Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz have been joined by a new crop that boasts Chuka Umunna as Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary.
In the House of Lords, tried and true peers like Baroness Valerie Amos and Sir Herman Ouseley have been joined by Lord Victor Adebowale and Baroness Lola Young.
In October 2010, the Mayor of London’s office published a report that confirmed that the Black pound is now worth a cool £300 million pounds to the UK economy. With the surge in the growth rates of Africa, Asia and China the future looks even brighter for Diasporans who want to trade with their motherland.
Khami Alexander
Founder and Principal Consultant of Kaytime Consulting: an award-winning UK Management & International Marketing Consultancy. For over 10 years, Kaytime has been providing Diversity Change Management & Career Development for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic professionals working in FTSE 100 companies like Shell, EDF Energy, Thomson Reuters etc. Kaytime also provides Leadership Development and Women Empowerment Training for Governments across Africa, from the largest to the smallest.
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It is quite unbelievable that the 1st edition of African Voice Newspaper was published in 2001, and is now ready to roll out its 500th edition. That is twelve years ago. How time flies! While I cannot vividly recollect any particular article or topic of the first edition of the newspaper, I have been an avid reader and supporter of the newspaper since its inception. As its name rightly proclaimed, the newspaper has been a true voice of Africans both in its editorials, sports, political and social commentaries, as well as entertainment. The newspaper has also through its publications from inception promoted small and medium sized businesses within the African community here in the UK.
In terms of entertainment, African Voice Newspaper has been the pillar and main promoter of the Afro Hollywood Award also known as African Film Award both in Africa and in the UK. The award, now in its 18th year has brought into the UK notable actors and actresses from across the African continent. The actors and actresses who are of African descent were brought into the UK for various awards and recognitions with the full support of the newspaper.
Based on my association with the publishers and the newspaper, the publication has truly been the voice Africans and I would like to implore them to carry on with the good cause by continuing in the natural tradition of being the true voice of Africans in the UK. In commemoration of its 500th edition, I wish the newspaper and its publishers many continued successes and good service delivery to its numerous readers and supporters.
Tajudeen Obafemi Adenuga
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
Femade (UK) Limited
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To God alone be the glory for His mercy and faithfulness in bringing the African Voice Newspaper to its 500th edition against all odds. I felicitate with and congratulate Mr. Mike Abiola, the Editor-in-Chief of the Newspaper, the editorial board members and the entire staff of the African Voice on this great occasion and wish them greater heights on this laudable enterprise.
By its name, the newspaper may sound regional, however by it content and activities, I make bold to say it is not. I have been privileged on a couple of occasions to attend the annual award night of the African Voice in which people from parts of the world other than Africa were usually in attendance. The company’s effort at recognising and rewarding notable and up-coming talents in African movie industry is worthy of note and highly commendable, so also is the broad and diverse issues reported in the Newspaper.
Without doubt, the Newspaper is truly the voice of Africa in projecting the image of the continent in UK. I wish to commend it for further patronage not only by Africans in UK, but by all lovers of Africa and African culture. I wish the organisation more successes.
Pastor Jide Siwoku
