General
Ika Weekly Newspaper and a Catalyst for New Order
By Jerome-Mario Utomi
In the words of Ben Carson, a retired Director of Pediatrics Neurosurgery at John Hopkins Hospital and now a Washington Times Columnist and Fox News contributor, many people use the terms wisdom and knowledge interchangeably.
They are, however, quite different, and have in no way confers the other. Knowledge is familiarity with facts. The more knowledge one has, the more things one is capable of doing, but only with wisdom is one able to discern which of the many things they are capable of doing should be pursued and in what order.
Certainly, the above words/description fittingly captures the clarity of vision and singleness of purpose that set the stage for the advent of Ika Weekly Newspaper, a weekly tabloid published at Agbor in Delta State.
Established in 1989, the Ika Weekly Newspaper which currently operates both print and online, is, for the purpose of clarity, a community newspaper based in Agbor, owned by the Ewuru, Ika South Local Government Area, born publisher, Steven Ekiri-Mekiriuwa Ashien, a former newspaper vendor/bookseller.
Among other objectives, the newspaper was birthed to disseminate across the world news/ information that is Ika nation-specific, act as a vehicle for the propagation and promotion of Ika culture and tradition while recognizing/celebrating Ika sons and daughters that demonstrate uncommon talent in their various fields of endeavours. The newspaper’s interest/attention/focus was neither at war nor in conflict with any state, regional/provisional, or nationally owned newspapers.
While the above information is important as it provides relevant direction for understanding the origin of the newspaper, readers with critical minds may be tempted to put forward the following question; what is the kernel of this piece/ intervention?
Why is the author fixated with a community newspaper and not even a national one, at this critical time when Nigeria as a country is going through the pangs of insecurity and the masses weakened by economic crunch?
One possible answer to the above questions is that aside from the fact that the newspaper’s progress is a reflection of a leader’s search for new fields to increase the wealth, culture and socioeconomic wellbeing of his people, Ika Weekly Newspaper’s odyssey is laced with profound lessons to draw by the generality of mankind.
Media professionals/industry on their part has enough insight to gain from how Ashien’s grappled with the problems of self-reinvention in order to keep the news organization afloat.
Most superficially, similar to the knowledge of history which is useful to the scientist, the economist, or the student of literature or philosophy on the grounds that no science or art is static, the piece in a synoptic manner x-rays the account of problems faced by the publisher in his resolve to build the newspaper house and how he set about solving those problems after pondering on them and the limited options available. To ignore or misstate this account could lead one to wonder in a dilemma.
Let’s take a detailed look at the particulars of the above claim.
Very fundamental is Ashien’s early consciousness/understanding that economic principles of wealth development is very important for the oppressed communities and will go a very long way towards liberating them from the influence of the elite class, even more, is education, he set out to use the media as a vehicle to educate, enlighten and socially influence his people.
Now, this is the first lesson arising from the ‘self-inflicted responsibility’ of educating the people. The task came in double folds. As he (the publisher) bothers to educate the people, he seizes the opportunity to educate himself and exit being educationally disadvantaged.
Says a commentator, the amazing contradiction is that, with little formal education, the man now embodies what it means to be educated. He has read more than the self-acclaimed educated people. His fascination with philosophy has guided his reading habit well. You can be forgiven for doubting his claim of lack of proper education when you consider his proven editing skill and publishing track records. For a man who claims as I remember it, to have started his career as a newspaper vendor in Warri, he has totally reinvented himself and has made his mark in the world of letters.
Before you hastily conclude that things became rosy from this point, wait till you cast a glance at the next paragraph.
But as it is a trademark of many media organizations across the world, 16 weeks of initial publications the newspaper left the newsstand- a factor attributable to macro and uncontrollable reasons.
With the collapse of this effort which Mr Ashien had invested heavily, life again started to become very rough for him. Like many Nigerians at that time, the more he tried his hands on other ventures, the worst it became.
However, as a determined man who always thinks positively coupled with his love for education, he fell back on selling second-hand books, to the extent that he started travelling to Ghana to buy second-hand books which he was hawking from one higher institution in Nigeria to another.
The harder he tried, the more difficult things became.
At this time, Mr Steve Ashien became virtually housebound, lonely, and desolate because finding money to travel out of Agbor became extremely difficult.
But as someone that understands that courage faces fear and masters it while cowardice represses fear, and is thereby mastered by it, he neither allowed himself to be overwhelmed by the uncertainties of life nor lost the will to live.
Rather, on one particular day in 2007, he did something theatrical.
He suddenly decided to go back to Ika Weekly Newspaper publishing. The surprising things about this decision were that at that time, Mr Steve Ashien did not have any money to invest in his dream newspaper publishing.
Though a faith-based man who always put God first in all he does and whose habit of giving/generosity, many characterized as legendary. That notwithstanding, people who knew about his intention gave him neither the needed support nor a chance to succeed. They were sceptical about how possible it would be for him to do magic this time around.
But as native wisdom proclaims, ‘the protestation of the innocent chick does not prevent or stall the sacrifice. If anything, the protestations enriched the sacrifice and hasten its value and efficacy.
Likewise, the flood of oppositions did not stop Mr Steve Ashien from plunging into Ika Weekly Newspaper publication.
Rather, such doubt and oppositions acted as a tonic. He prayed to God for direction and held on to honesty as his hardest currency while working night and day, sleeping on the floor of his office in order to ensure that the Newspaper hits the newsstand.
As luck will have it, help however came from a few people who were ready to report, highlight, and analyse the current affairs/events and topical issues happening in Ika land that was of interest to the people, especially in the political and community leadership.
He promoted citizens/community journalism.
Clearly, a bracing account particularly as the newspaper has since then, remained uninterrupted at the newsstand for over years with workers’ salaries promptly and dutifully paid. Not even the dreaded outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic which disrupted millions of businesses across the world could halt its publication.
Also alluring is the awareness that the organization has grown into other areas of interest. For example, it established the St. Steven’s Library of congress- a resource centre for research and documentation of critical information, and study of Ika history, people, culture, and tradition. However, this library is no longer functional but the knowledge impacted on the general public is still cherished to date.
Despite these achievements, Ashien has refused to be seen. Instead, he opts to function like a cameraman who records events/successes without getting noticed.
But there exists a difference, and that is the fact that even in his ‘hiding’, he remains not just a shining star but a source of inspiration to the youths, a good ambassador of the Ika nation, and most importantly, a Catalyst for New Order. For its part, the newspaper has become a leading light reputed for filling the information gap in Ika Land.
Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via je*********@***oo.com/08032725374
Search Engine Optimization isn’t what it used to be.
Gone are the days of stuffing keywords, buying random backlinks, and expecting overnight rankings. Today, SEO is a sophisticated blend of technical precision, content authority, brand positioning, and strategic digital PR.
At RiseGrower.com, we’re launching with one mission:
To help brands grow through ethical, scalable, authority-driven SEO.
This isn’t just another SEO agency. This is the next evolution of ranking strategy.
🌍 SEO in 2026: What Has Changed?
Search engines—especially Google—have become dramatically smarter.
Modern ranking systems analyze:
- Topical authority
- Content depth and expertise
- User engagement signals
- Link quality (not quantity)
- Brand credibility
- Search intent satisfaction
SEO today is no longer about “gaming the algorithm.” It’s about becoming the most trusted answer in your industry.
That’s where RiseGrower comes in.
🚀 What RiseGrower.com Is Built For
We specialize in performance-focused SEO strategies designed to:
- Increase organic traffic
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- Strengthen domain authority
- Build sustainable backlink profiles
- Turn search visibility into revenue
Our approach combines:
- Advanced technical SEO audits
- Strategic content architecture
- Authority guest posting campaigns
- White-hat link acquisition
- On-page optimization
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We don’t chase vanity metrics. We build growth systems.
🧠 Our Philosophy: Authority Wins
Search engines reward expertise and trust.
That’s why our strategy centers around three pillars:
1️⃣ Topical Authority
We help brands dominate entire keyword clusters—not just single keywords.
2️⃣ Editorial Authority
Through high-quality guest posting on real industry publications, we build contextual backlinks that move rankings safely and effectively.
3️⃣ Technical Excellence
From crawl optimization to structured data, we ensure search engines fully understand and prioritize your content.
🔥 Why Most SEO Strategies Fail
Many businesses struggle with SEO because:
- They focus only on backlinks without strategy
- They publish content without search intent research
- They ignore technical site health
- They chase short-term wins instead of long-term growth
SEO is not a trick.
It’s a system.
RiseGrower builds systems.
📊 Our Approach Is Data-Driven
Every campaign starts with:
- Competitive analysis
- Keyword gap research
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We analyze what’s ranking—and why.
Then we engineer a strategy that outperforms it.
🏢 Who We Work With
RiseGrower is built for ambitious brands:
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- Agencies
- Startups
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If your goal is sustainable organic growth, you’re in the right place.
⚖️ White-Hat SEO Only
We believe in:
- Real editorial placements
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- Search engine compliance
We do not use:
- Private Blog Networks (PBNs)
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- Manipulative ranking shortcuts
Long-term growth requires integrity.
📈 The Rise of Performance-Based SEO
The future of SEO isn’t “deliverables.”
It’s measurable outcomes.
At RiseGrower, we align our strategy with:
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Because rankings are only valuable if they drive business growth.
🌟 What Makes RiseGrower Different?
We blend:
- SEO strategy
- Digital PR
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We don’t just improve rankings.
We build market leaders.
🔮 The Future of Search
AI-generated content is flooding the internet. Competition is rising daily.
Search engines will increasingly reward:
- Authentic expertise
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The brands that invest in authority now will dominate tomorrow.
RiseGrower was created for that future.
🚀 Launching Soon
RiseGrower.com is preparing to launch with a clear promise:
Growth through strategic SEO authority.
If you’re ready to:
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We’re ready to grow with you.
Wholesale marketplaces were created so that business owners could find profitable offers and make deals on B2B platforms worldwide. In addition to buyers and sellers, there are traders, distributors, logisticians, and other professionals on such platforms. Let’s take a closer look at these professions. Traders purchase goods in order to resell them at a higher price; speculation is allowed on B2B marketplaces and is a legal instrument. Distributors are the official representatives of the manufacturer, meaning you can purchase original products at the lowest price. Most often, goods are purchased in China and then transported by sea to European countries or North America. We suggest you try the Globy Platform, where the most reputable Asian distributors are registered. Logisticians can also register on Globy. They provide services for the transportation of goods by sea. The following are the advantages of Globy, which are mentioned most often:
- quick registration on the portal;
- website with simple navigation and management;
- excellent choice of reliable suppliers;
- most relevant products in the catalog;
- free registration;
- no commission.
Some B2B platforms process payments, but Globy allows participants to make money payments outside the platform using one of the secure methods. In addition, Globy does not charge a commission when concluding a purchase deal. To start working on the platform, you need to register in accelerated mode or fill out a form with your company’s details. You can be sure that your banking details, personal, and contact information are protected. Third parties can only see the information that you leave open. When registering, do not forget to enter your company’s contact information (messenger, phone, email) so that new partners can contact you. You can pay attention to the fact that the Globy catalog contains items without specifying a price, but the product profile contains the vendor’s contacts. You can contact the seller to discuss the deal details, determining the price of the product.
Logistics Tool on Globy
There is often a situation when the supplier does not provide transportation services and the buyer has to search for a carrier on their own. In fact, this problem is solved simply. Globy has a special tool that helps you quickly find a charterer. You would open the freight calculator and fill in all the fields in the suggested form. You would specify the sending and destination port, and don’t forget to specify the dates and choose the container size. If you want to place containers in an optimal way, then use the load calculator, which is also available for free on the official website. You can use these tools only after registration. You can log in quickly if you have a Google account or a LinkedIn profile. After entering the data, the freight calculator will process your request and provide a list of prices. You can select a suitable line and contact the charterer to discuss the details of the contract. It is recommended to choose a sea delivery with a minimum number of intermediate stops, in which case the cargo will arrive at the destination port faster.
Receiving Cargo at the Destination Port
Buyers should remember that you can check the cargo when it arrives at the port. If the rules of transportation were violated, there was a long delay, or the goods were damaged, you can refuse the cargo, explaining the reason. You can discuss a price reduction with the supplier if the product has lost its proper appearance or the packaging is damaged. You can evaluate the cargo yourself or with the help of third-party experts. It is best to carefully check the documentation when receiving the goods at the port. All documents must be executed in accordance with international law. You can register on Globy today, find the goods you need, and use the logistics tools for free. More than fifty-five thousand users have already been registered on the platform, which indicates the high authority of Globy. If you have any questions, you can ask them in the Help Center on Globy website.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Shipping giant, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has signed a 45-year concession agreement with Nigerian maritime company, Nigerdock, to develop, operate and maintain a new container terminal at Snake Island Port in Lagos.
A statement by MSC on Thursday noted that the new container terminal would be completed by 2028 with a 910-meter quay, six Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, two ship berths, three barge berths, and up to 18 meters of draft.
The dedicated MSC terminal would be part of the company’s announced $1 billion investment in infrastructure and logistics in Nigeria.
“We are thrilled to take this step forward in our partnership with MSC to develop a world-class container terminal within Snake Island Port.
“This gives the world’s leading shipping line a home in Nigeria and brings significant foreign direct investment into the country to accelerate growth in the maritime and logistics industry,” it said.
Global shipping companies are pushing to secure long-term footholds in emerging markets as supply chains are reconfigured worldwide.
MSC said the terminal, to be built by ITB Nigeria and DEME Group, is expected to be ready by 2028.
It will occupy 30 hectares (74 acres) and feature a 910-metre (3,000 ft) quay capable of handling ship‑to‑shore cranes and mobile harbour cranes, serving both deep-sea vessels and barges.
MSC President, Mr Diego Aponte, said: “Completing this key phase in the development of Snake Island Container Terminal with Nigerdock and our trusted partners demonstrates MSC Group’s commitment to providing excellent service to our customers in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
“The new terminal will open up opportunities, enhance efficiency, and elevate Snake Island Port as a major global shipping centre.
“Together with our Group’s other long-term investments in Nigeria, it will generate many local jobs and significantly increase economic revenue and resilience.”
Snake Island Port is an 85-hectare facility operated by Nigerdock, a maritime and logistics company, and comprises three terminals serving the Lagos port complex.
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