Folio communication unveils new Daily Times Newspaper masthead

Ahead of its centenary celebration, Folio Communications Limited, publishers of Nigeria’s oldest media brand, has unveiled new Daily Times Newspaper masthead.

This is just as the management announced that it has concluded plans to revive and activate the Sunday Times, Business Times, Lagos Weekend and other historic titles on our stables.

In a statement Signed by Aliu Akoshile, the Group Managing Director Folio Communications Plc on Monday, stated that the changes were informed by the management’s desire to transform the Daily Times into a most valuable media brand that can attract investment and be taken to the capital market for listing on the stock exchange.

Akoshile noted that already; the newspaper has regained international brand recognition following our partnership with the CNN for contents and value creation.

He said that as the CNN exclusive news affiliate, the paper have developed and launched a digital platform folionigeria powered by CNN (www.folio.ng). a bifocal human angle positive Nigerian stories which will be replicated across the continent.

According to him, the new masthead of The Daily Times which becomes effective from the edition of Tuesday, 7th July, 2020.

The statement read: ‘’Our vision is to transform the Daily Times into a most valuable media brand that can attract investment and be taken to the capital market for listing on the stock exchange.

It will interest you to know that the Daily Times Nigeria Plc was actually the first indigenous company to be listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in 1963 with N12million share capital.

‘’Already the newspaper has regained international brand recognition following our partnership with the CNN for contents and value creation.

As the CNN exclusive news affiliate, we have developed and launched a digital platform folionigeria powered by CNN (www.folio.ng). a bifocal human angle positive Nigerian stories, which will be replicated across the continent.

‘’Our biggest asset, as the oldest surviving newspaper in Nigeria, is the humongous archival resources in our library. This consists of over 660,000 rare photographs, video and volumes of historic publications covering nearly a century. We have commenced the digitization of these archival assets for learning purposes and literary exhibition.

‘’We will be publishing Nigeria our heritage Grand Book, a 30 kilo tonne compendium on Nigeria @ 60. This is to further the positive perception movement for Nigeria anchored on our great culture, people, and places. We envisage to launch the publication in the third quarter of 2021

‘’Based on our growth strategy, we are pursuing the revival of the Times Journalism Institute, the premier training centre for journalists which was founded in 1965.

Now renamed Folio Multimedia Academy, the training centre will be embedded in our new multi-storey corporate head office nearing completion along the Abuja Airport Road. Ultimately, it would become the media school of a higher institution based on affiliation or partnership.

‘’Ladies and gentlemen, the ultimate goal of the repositioning strides is to ensure that our consumers are served the best menu of credible and authoritative news on a decent platter.

‘’We would apply the same stringent principles in reviving and activating the Sunday Times, Business Times, Lagos Weekend and other historic titles on our stables.

‘’We have redesigned the flagship title to reflect its rich history and solemn disposition to issues of national unity, social justice, good governance and human rights.

‘’As you would see presently, the corporate philosophy is reflected in the typeface for the new masthead. With this, we welcome you and wish to request that you join us as we commence the countdown to the epoch making centenary of The Daily Times.

‘’It is now my singular honour to present the new masthead of The Daily Times which becomes effective from the edition of Tuesday, 7th July, 2020’’.

Meanwwhile, the statement has listed the new Board members to include: Mr. Sam Worlu, a scholarly diplomat and ex-DG of VON. He is the Chairman, Barrister Noel Anosike, a distinguished lawyer is Executive Vice Chairman and Mr. Aliu Akoshile, a versatile journalist and corporate turn-around strategist, is the Group Managing Director.

Others are; Mrs. Chioma Okigbo, a highly experienced assets and investments manager, Malam Mohammed Ciroma, a veteran journalist, IT and investment guru. He was DMD of This Day and Former MD of Folio Communications Plc (The Daily Times), Mrs. Chiamaka Igwe, a professional in international affairs and diplomacy and Dr. Victor Alaofin, a financial expert, management consultant and banker.

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In the same vein, the management announced a renowned scholar and diplomat, Professor George Obiozor, as Editorial Board Adviser adding that he will be joined soon by an elder statesman, academic and distinguished journalist whom we will announce in due course.

Similarly, the editorial board are: Prof. Hope Eghagha (Unilag) has been appointed Chairman, Prof. (Mrs) Vicky Ikpeze as Vice-Chairman (Professor of Law), Prof. Tunji Olaopa (NIPSS, Jos) , Prof. Abdullahi Liman (Dean PG, Nasarawa State University) and Prof. Mrs Ayo Atsenuwa (Law, Unilag)

Others are: Prof. Tony Afejuku (English, Uniben) , Prof. Jim Unah(Philosophy, Unilag), Dr. Isaac Nwaogwugwu (Economics, Unilag) , Dr. Kayode Esuola (Political Science, Unilag) and Dr. Promise Adiele (English, Mountain Top University).

The statement further announced some top flight Human Resources to oversee critical aspects of the business and editorial portfolios to include: Judith Akatugba – Chief Commercial Officer/Head, Digital, Dr. Ise-Oluwa Ige – Managing Editor, Dr. Paul Onomuakpokpo – Editor, Editorial Board, Mr. Omokioja Julius Eto – Editor, Daily Times and Mr. Sam Nzeh – Editor, Standards respectively.