It is a good feeling to not just dream, but to dream big, steadfastly pursue it, no matter how long it takes and then eventually watch it come together right before your eyes. This is the story of the newspaper in your hands.
About 13 years ago, at the start of the last quarter of 2009, around the period of the biggest economic recession the world has ever seen, the desire to establish a reputable media organisation, an idea I had conceived since my days in secondary school, was burning inside of me. I wanted to create a news media outfit that will be different in style, truly independent of censorship and interference, contemporary yet obligatory in expanding the discourse on salient national issues. These were my thoughts when I initiated the bold steps to begin what is today reckoned with as THEWILL.
On this momentous occasion of the first year anniversary of the print version of this media organisation, I believe it is an auspicious opportunity to take a reflective step backward to see the journey that has brought THEWILL this far, to appreciate those who have made the amazing progress possible and to restate the organisation’s avowed determination to stick to its core principles of truth, accuracy, accountability, fairness, impartiality and independence.
Imbued with a stoic determination to boldly report news as it breaks without bias, I began THEWILL as an online news platform in San Francisco, conceived as the forerunner of an ambitious and revolutionary media project that will blossom to birth the print and electronic channels, all of which will bear the authoritative imprint of providing a one-stop platform where readers, viewers and contributors can debate public policy, influence public opinion and ultimately, contribute towards the real change we so badly need in our abundantly blessed country, Nigeria.
The choice to start the project from the website was informed by the advantages that the technology offered in terms of immediacy and reach. It was also comparatively and affordably less capital-intensive – I had only $3, 000 (about N390, 000) in my bank account at that time. I went on Craigslist and found a graphic designer whom I worked with to create our insignia for about $350, bought the domain name and then paid for hosting. Therefore, in October 2009, THEWILL was born as a digital-first news organisation.
Publishing from San Francisco, California, where the United States Bill of Rights protects press freedom, as posterity would record it, THEWILL soon gained prominence and respect, especially when Nigeria was faced with a constitutional crisis and a power struggle evoked by the unexpected illness and eventual demise in office of the then Nigerian President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. It was an opportune moment for the inchoate organisation and with its fair, unbiased, fearless and authoritative publications, THEWILL afforded its growing company of regular readers an illuminating perspective through the intrigues of the power struggle that the period witnessed.
THEWILL will forever be recognised as one of the first media channels to break the news of Yar’Adua’s eventual death in Abuja on the night of May 05, 2010, while the facts were still being kept from the worried public anxious to get reliable information on the goings-on within the seat of power. That was undoubtedly an immense breakout for THEWILL, quickly earning it the attraction of legions of faithful readers, who have kept faith through the years and to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.
Yet, that break was only the beginning because one week later, precisely on May 12, 2010, THEWILL chalked up another major scoop to further consolidate its position as a powerful emerging media. THEWILL was first to report the arrest and detention of Chief James Ibori, a former governor of oil-rich Delta State and a very influential player in the Nigerian political space and power tussle at the time, by the Interpol in Dubai, UAE, following a warrant by the government of the United Kingdom.
By that report, THEWILL’s growing reputation for cutting-edge news reporting and its knack for exclusive stories blossomed and has witnessed spurts of growth over the years, while forging ahead to establish itself as a model for others in the rapidly growing independent online news community in Nigeria. After a dozen years of unflagging and dogged pursuit of excellence in news reporting and determined to enter into the next phase of the news media project, in 2020 we started putting together the structure and infrastructure to actualise printing the newspaper in Nigeria. Proposed as a magazine-styled Sunday publication, with a glossy and glamorous pullout that was styled for the fashionable demographic, it was billed as a national newspaper that kept to the organisation’s mission to “expand the national conversation.”
The mission was unchanged. The focus remained to continue to stimulate and expand the engaging discourse of the contemporary Zeitgeist, whilst also providing a platform for readers, fellow advocates and contributors to keep working towards the country we can all be proud of.
In December of the same year we published the preview edition and on Sunday, February 14, 2021, the first edition of the newspaper was printed and circulated countrywide.
THEWILL newspaper has maintained an impressive and steady growth in the notoriously competitive print media sector since our first edition. We could not have achieved this feat without the hard work of our dedicated team, support of friends and mentors, our loyal readership and advertisers, who have remained steadfast and believed in THEWILL brand since 2009.
I recall with a chuckle how I worked as a one-man army to get the online platform off the ground, but there was always a set of experienced journalists, who believed in what I was doing, with whom I had a working relationship and who were collaboratively helpful as needed at the teething period.
As the news website grew, I hired more hands to work with me and it is a testament to the tireless work that we have all put in that we have come this far this quickly. As news never sleeps, there have also been countless sleepless nights that staff, reporters and contributors have had to endure to record all the achievements that have become THEWILL’s signature within the media landscape. To these indefatigable individuals who belong to the THEWILL family, I owe a debt of gratitude.
Without a smidgen of doubt, much of the strides that THEWILL has made could have been much too arduous to contemplate without the robust support of our advertisers. Therefore, also deserving of unwavering gratitude is the loyal class of advertisers that are as much part of the THEWILL family as any. Access Bank, CBN, Zenith Bank, Aiteo, UBA, First Bank and GTCO are some of the major brands that have supported THEWILL project since inception.
Their fidelity spurs us to give our best at all times. They have pitched their own renowned brands with ours, which carries the implication of endorsement. We are infinitely grateful and will work hard daily to be worthy of such loyalty.
I will be in remission if I fail to thank those who have also criticised some of our stories over the years. As incredible a journey as we have had in the existence of THEWILL, it has not been without a fair serving of criticism, hard knocks and reprimand. As a responsible media that is wholesomely self-aware and desirous to improve at all levels, we never take feedback for granted. Each time we have been criticised, we have not only stoutly defended our stance, but also sought to see the positives that can be learned from every instance. We have laboured to improve in delivery and in our responsibilities to the core of our vision and mission. In their own ways, therefore, those that have criticised us have contributed to our progress and we are just as grateful to them.
As Publisher and Editor-In-Chief, I shall continue to see THEWILL as our contribution to the struggle for a better country and future. We have always taken it upon ourselves to hold those entrusted with power accountable for its daily exercise and have striven, over the years, to advocate for justice, human rights, free press, free enterprise and a progressive government that can deliver good governance. That is why, on the eve of yet another electioneering period, as the country goes through the motions again, in the hallowed practice of picking those who will be responsible for defining the path of our collective destiny, THEWILL believes it is apposite to awaken the national consciousness and point it in the most appropriate direction for the good of one and all.
In continuance of the critical role THEWILL has played in influencing thought, we intend to emphasise the necessity to steer the discussions towards helping Nigerians choose the kind of leaders that we know the country deserves at this crucial time in our history. Our position is for a President that will come from the private sector. This is hinged on the precedent that we have never had a truly and wholly grounded technocrat from the business sector at the helm, who can translate their wealth of experience in the boardroom to the corridors of political power at the centre and bring about that marked single-minded, result-oriented and purposeful dedication to roles and responsibilities attributable to the private sector that bring about growth and development.
A technocrat, who understands the business of creating wealth, the positives of employment, the advantages of strong, stable institutions and understands how to build trust between employee and employer and how the synergy of both will bring true progress, is the kind of leader the country has been yearning for but unfortunately denied. These are the operational principles of the private sector engagement that only a technocrat will understand these. That is why the leaders we should be on the lookout for at all levels, be it at the local government, the state or at the seat of power in Abuja, should have foundational and grounded private sector experience to boot.
We have tried the military, we have tried career politicians, we have tried ex-military officers who have transitioned into career politicians, but the situation gets worse with every trial. Yet, where seasoned technocrats have been given the opportunity, the difference that the results make speak for themselves. That is why Akwa Ibom State is a pacesetter in developmental progress. They have had a triplicate of technocrats that have held forte and ensured the continuation of growth. Architect Obong Victor Attah began the process that built on the professionalism he brought with him to the job in 1999.
This continued with the telecoms professional, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who rose to the position of Managing Director of a telecommunications company before becoming governor in 2007 to continue the progress of Attah before handing over to Udom Emmanuel, the former Zenith Bank Executive Director in 2015. This clear line of highly respectable professionals, who have brought their boardroom experiences to bear in government, with observable signs of growth ought to be a blueprint for countrywide application in the next election.
These professionals, which must include the ingenious Godwin Emefiele, who stepped down from his top job as Group Managing Director of the behemoth Zenith Bank Plc. to lead the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and is aggressively driving the country’s economic diversification agenda, and Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who stepped down from his position as chairman of one of the most reputable investment banking and management firms in Nigeria (Afrinvest) to govern Edo State, who bring their backgrounds to bear are our best bet out of the quagmire that we have found ourselves in as a country and THEWILL believes it is its responsibility to carry the discourse along that line of reasoning, ahead of the polls next year. We can no longer afford to leave politics in the hands of politicians alone. It is crucial that we all get involved now.
As THEWILL looks forward to more challenges, better quality, wider reach and continued milestones in the years ahead, I hope our news platforms will continue to be your choice for everything news, current affairs, commentaries and entertainment, while we pledge our continued dedication to positively influencing public policy and expanding the spaces that promote national discourse at every level.
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