In today’s
world, especially in developing countries, a major challenge in development has
been a lack of information. This represents an urgent need for change, which is
possible if sustainable efforts are made to inform, educate and enlighten all
and sundry on basic issues that can benefit the larger society.
It is to steer
that change that Nigerians, in just a few days, will herald a quarterly
magazine known as Drumbeat.
“Drumbeat is rich!”
said publisher Elsie Ijorogu-Reeds at a press conference held in Lagos
recently.
According to her, Drumbeat represents a real
qualitative addition to value in the lifestyle magazine market.
The founder and
chief executive officer of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Deltawomen,
who through her NGO empowers the less privileged and also performs online
publishing, further disclosed that Nigerians will soon have their chance to
embrace the magazine, which is the first of its kind in Africa.
Because she has
successfully managed radio programmes and other projects, there is no doubt
that Ijorogu-Reeds and Drumbeat will attract readership.
In her words,
“We are bringing the best of both worlds (African and Western) to the magazine
Drumbeat, so it will be empowering yet entertaining; it will include
informative and entertaining sections such as interviews, environment, tourism,
career guide, relationships, health and living, fashion and beauty,
entertainment and lifestyle and so on,”Ijorogu-Reeds explained.
In continuing,
she added that “Drumbeat will be conspicuously displayed on newsstands across
Nigeria from May 5, 2014. “I hereby stress that it is not just a local
magazine; it will add a qualitative value to the lifestyle magazine market in
Nigeria and beyond. I want to use
Drumbeat to celebrate the positive sides of Nigeria, its people and events. It
will also feature places within Nigeria and around the world.
She explained
why the magazine is called Drumbeat: “According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s
Dictionary, drumbeat is an English word meaning “a stroke on a drum or the
sound this makes”. In traditional Africa, drums were a means of communication
to the villagers. Whenever a drum was being beaten, people would gather to hear
the message that prompted the beating of the drum. So Drumbeat magazine is a
tool for communication to the world, with the aim of disseminating factual
information to our audience, which comprises both young and old.
“The 64-page magazine will be sold all over
Nigeria, in the United States of America and London; it will be launched on
Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Nite Shift Coliseum, 34 Salvation Road, Opebi,
Lagos A cast of highly eminent Nigerians will preside over the occasion. The
Orodje of Okpe Kingdom will be the Father of the Day; Chief Eunice Onokpasa
will be the Mother of the Day while Chief Dominic Oneya will present the
magazine. Also the Special Adviser on Social Development to President Jonathan,
Mrs. Sarah
Pane, will be there.
“We appreciate
your several commitments as you grapple with the task of rebuilding Nigeria.
This publication’s guiding principle is to educate, inform and entertain our
readers in a way that has never been done before. So, our unique selling point
is: “Bringing out the best in you.”
Currently, the amiable woman is using Crown FM
and Melody FM (DBS) for her weekly radio programme, and this covers the entire
Delta State, and neighbouring villages. The Delta State-born entrepreneur holds
a degree in banking and finance and a master’s in business administration with
a concentration in information system management, as well as several
information technology certifications: MCP, MCSE, MCDBA, and IBM Expert, among
others.
On how the
magazine will compete with many others on newsstands and thrive,Ijorogu-Reeds
maintained that because Drumbeat is poised to lead other magazines in Nigeria
in terms of content, there is no doubt that it will fare well.
She
reiterated that her vision is to publish a magazine that will have in-depth
reporting of current issue
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