Dignitaries at the unveiling of a community-focused newspaper at Gwagwa, Karimu in Abuja
ABUJA- The immediate past Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Malam Abdullahi Candido, has launched a weekly publication, Aso Mirror Newspaper, aimed at bridging the gap between the government and Abuja residents.
At the launch in Gwagwa, Karimu, Abuja on Tuesday, Candido explained that the newspaper’s mission was to be a voice for the people of Abuja.
Candido, said as Chairman/Publisher, he would ensure the paper represented community interests and provided balanced journalism.
He assured attendees that Aso Mirror would report government actions accurately, aiming to hold officials accountable without unnecessary criticism.
Candido said the newspaper sought to address unique challenges faced by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents, who have historically lacked representation and voice in national discourse.
“We are not going to unnecessarily criticise or condemn those in government. We will call their attention when necessary.
“We will report accurately and appropriately on what the government is doing for us and about the people.
“We will also criticise and assess the government when necessary, but we will not be against anybody. We are only trying to ensure that things are done properly.
“Aso Mirror aims to transition from a weekly to a daily publication, gradually increasing its frequency.”
According to Candido, everything about FCT people is at a disadvantage.
”We are not wealthy, properly educated, connected, or in positions of authority.
“We do not have a voice, but this newspaper may give us a voice and lead us somewhere. I think the people of FCT need something like this.
“I am a community person, and the paper is community-based. That’s why I refused to take the programme to the town. We decided to do it in our community, and you can see the beauty in it,’’he said.
The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Abubakar Abdullahi, lauded the publisher’s initiative in launching an indigenous newspaper.
Abdullahi noted that the publication aimed to amplify the voices of marginalised indigenous people in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by creating awareness, educating society, and promoting accountability.
He emphasised the newspaper’s role in fostering unity and public expression, urging its management to maintain professionalism and investigative journalism.
The AMAC Chairman, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, represented by Danlami Hayyo, the FCTA mandate secretary for education, expressed support for the initiative.
“This event marks a significant step towards empowering the local community through media representation, and I urge you all to support this initiative,” he said.(NAN)
