FirstNews Online, a digital multi-media online news portal in Nigeria is two years old today.
On June 14, 2020, FirstNews landed safely on Nigeria’s saturated but interesting media turf, and within the short period of its existence, FirstNews has been able to prove to the entire world it’s not in the media industry to merely join the fray, as it were.
It has shown itself to be a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s media industry. As its name goes, FirstNews has, in the past two years, been reporting news as they break, striving hard to maintain its status as a news platform with reliable information on happenings in Nigeria and around the world.
“In two years, FirstNews has striven and succeeded in our quest to make a big difference, particularly in online journalism, our forte. We’ve surely carved our own niche beyond the imagination of our admirers and to the consternation of our critics, as well,” a statement by the FirstNews Media Limited, owners of FirstNews Online, First News newspaper & FirstTV, on the occasion of the two years anniversary of the digital multi-media newspaper, reads.
According to the statement by the multi-media company’s Management, “True to our masthead, we have, in these past two years, ensured you get the news first from us. And this we have resolved to continue to do without flagging. We’ve indeed emerged a shining star in the constellation of reputable news publications and media in Nigeria and across the world.
“Our beautifully designed and captivating daily front page, an innovation in online journalism in Nigeria and across the world, has continued to attract readers/traffic and has earned us rave reviews on some radio and television stations in Nigeria with national and global reach, as well as on other internationally recognised online platforms.
The statement added, “In these past two years, through dint of hard work consummated by divine grace, we have broken into the rank of the first 10 national newspapers in Nigeria with our timely delivery of breaking news to our readers in Nigeria and elsewhere across the world!
“At the risk of sounding immodest, FirstNews is a digital media outfit that is committed to factual and credible reporting of the news behind the news in politics, business, education, sport, health, entertainment and many more. This Lagos-based online medium, published by First Media Network Limited, has been conducting its activities with strict observance of the high standards of ethics, accountability, professionalism and legality, while exercising its rights to freedom of expression and information. We assure you that these cherished principles and values we will continue to hold firmly unto while we play our role as a responsible member of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
“Our reports will remain factual, credible and balanced without a modicum of bias against any interest.
“At First News, therefore, we remain determined and committed to making a big difference in our reportage of events and happenings, both on the national and international scenes.
“With our FirstTv channel, we’ve been backing our stories with the relevant interesting visuals. We’ve continued to avail newsmakers the opportunity to practically tell their own stories on our YouTube channel designed to meet your information and entertainment needs. By and large, FirstNews Online and FirstTv and lately First News newspaper (print edition), have, these past two years, remained your one-stop media company for everything news, politics, business, entertainment, captivating documentaries and sport.
Under the watch and guide of our our indefatigable Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, whose birthday coincides with our anniversary, from the scratch, First News Online began the arduous task of generating content to create and attract the required traffic and readership. And two years after, and through dint of sheer hard work and consistency, today, we can beat our chest to say we have achieved that enviable task of being a global media outfit.
Truly, the media is changing across the globe, but we must keep in touch with the changing world.
However, as the business of news assumes a new dimension almost on a daily basis, the scope of our coverage at First Media Network Limited keeps changing and expanding as well, especially with the incessant demands from our readers for a ‘hard copy” of First News. It is the aggregate of these yearnings and demands by our readers that crystalised into the first edition of the “hard copy” or print edition of First News early this year.
But First News’ foray into the world of print journalism is not only an attempt to come to grips with the demands of our readers. It is also to make further contributions to journalism practice in Nigeria, especially given the array of highly qualified and experienced hands we are blessed with. Although a small force we may seem for now, we remain very potent – our remarkable achievements with First News Online within a space of two years is a practical testimony to our competence. But this is definitely no walk in the park!
“Our gratitude to the management and staff of FirstNews, for their commitment and hard work from the gestation period to this auspicious moment, therefore, remains undiminished. They have continued to work assiduously to ensure that the flagship of our online newspapers, www.firstnewsonline.ng , its print edition and FirstTV gain recognition and respect and also stand out as serious players in the media industry within such a very short time.
“We also owe some appreciation to all our friends in the media, advertisers and others, who in one way or the other, have contributed to our success but cannot be mentioned here due to space and time constraints. To you all, our sincere gratitude.
“As we move ahead and advance in age, we promise to remain your dependable platform in this onerous task of adequately informing Nigerians and the entire world, while not shirking in our determination to make a mark in the highly competitive and volatile Nigerian media industry.”
E-Signed
Management
First Media Network Limited