Magazine of the Year:
(This award is for magazines that are run/managed by young people, target young people and are immensely popular amongst certain groups of young people - the magazine must circulate fairly widely. The magazine should be well produced i.e. well planned, well laid out – pictures need not be fantastic, but should be discernible. The content of the magazine is our focus – it must be of a quality comparable, at the least, with magazines for the general public. The English must be competent, and it must be rich and relevant to the issues of our time; it must also be balanced – this does not exclude religious or otherwise specific magazines, but presupposes that whatever is nominated should be well rounded.)
Name: RISE
How old: Over a year old
What need is this magazine filling? “The publishing of rise as not just a magazine but as a reference material is as a result of the absence of any tangible periodical publication whose main objective is to discover, empower and build a capable successor generation. There is also no provision for any magazine in nigeria that creates an avenue for young people to assert their individualities.
Rise also aims at making use of the life stories of successful members of the society to inspire, motivate and educate young people to emulate their values and choose role models and mentors from amongst them. These individuals cut across all ramifications of human society, religious sects, tribes and geographical locations.”
Circulation: Youth Forums, Schools and Educational Institutions, Young and upcoming private organisations, Youth focused NGOs etc
Average age of the editors: All of the editorial board is below 25
Financing: Adverts, Youth related government Institutions, Well meaning Private Individuals
Interviews in past one year: Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, Tu Face Idibia, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, Fela Durotoye, Uche Majekodunmi, Frank Edoho (Who wants to be a millionaire?), Anne Ajadi (Absolute Elegance Cakes), Hon Abike Dabiri, Hon Farouk Lawan - House of Reps, Appropriation, Dr. Quncy Ayodele, Mr. Fred Archibong, Hon Temi Harriman, Hon Saudatu Sani, Ayinde Soaga (NTA Newcaster), Bukky Wright, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Senator Tawar Wada, Gbenga Adeyinka the First, Frank Osodi etc
How have you survived in the past one year: “GOD! Hard, Hard work, using Persuasion, Truth and Conviction to break new grounds and open strong rooms. It's not been very easy.”
How many editions in past one year: 4 editions
Paid advertising in past one year: Macleans, Lucozade Boost, Gordons Spark, ICASA 2005 (NACA) campaign against HIV/AIDS, V-Mobile, Tom Tom, Milo, Afri Bank, Quincy, National Directorate of Employment, Gala, Fred Archibong
Spin-offs from magazine: Collaborations with Unleashed Consulting in Lagos State University, YOUTHS and TEENAGERS AGAINST CORRUPTION (YTAC), GEMSTONE and PROJECT RAISE, AFRICA LEADERSHIP FORUM and BUILD OUR NIGERIAN IMAGE (BONI) in Olabisi Onabanjo University (Ago- Iwoye)
Other info: The Publisher of RISE is an immensely hardowrking 500 Level Law Student of University of Jos. She started publishing in 300 level at the age of 21.
They have also begun the Rise Online youth partnership project, which is an innovative online association of young people that can serve as a medium of communication and purposeful interaction to discuss and address salient issues that will inspire substantial change in the entire Nigerian state and the world over. The idea is the existence of the largest online network of youths in Nigeria where there can be exchange of knowledge, values and experiences, showcase of skills and uninhibited expression of views and opinions that may be statistically relevant in the future and the initial target is 1, 000, 000 (one million) young people across Nigeria.
Why we chose this: The energy of the young woman behind this magazine is inspiring, and the magazine keeps getting better with each edition!
Name: Juice
How old: It was a year old on December 15th 2006
What need is this magazine filling? “It was originally created for the older teen. It was supposed to be the typical mag with fashion and style, gossip, celeb interviews, quizzes, self-help guides and entertainment. However, we were inundated with mail from older women between the ages of 21 – 50! So we modified it a bit. It caters to the 15-25 year old woman (or man) who wants to be savvier but also likes a twist of humour and fun to his/her life.”
Circulation: In most major outlets in Lagos like Shoprite, Nu metro stores etc as well as by its own private network of vendors and distributors. It is also circulated in Abuja, Kaduna, Jos and Port Harcourt. It is very popular with street vendors
Average age of the editors: The entire team is below 22 except for the Editor/Publisher
Financing: By the publisher
Achievements in past one year: They have tripled circulation in one year and have even been approached by older established publications to circulate their magazines!
Interviews in past one year: Kate Henshaw, Chimamanda Adichie, Omowunmi Akinnifesi MBGN 2005, Sasha, Dan Foster, Freeze, P-Square, Bukky de la Zaria, BOUQUI, WildChild etc
How have you survived in the past one-year: “None of us had had previous experience working on a publication so it has been very difficult. Circulation was our biggest problem and we deliberately operated at a loss just to get the magazine out there by ourselves. We have grown into it, though. We are now more comfortable as a team and due to our increased popularity have a lot more doors opening up for us.”
How many editions in past one year: Bi-monthly, just finished their 6th edition.
Paid advertising in past one year: Starcomms, British Airways, UBA, GTB, Coca-Cola, London Metropolitan University, Save My Contacts, HP, Beauty Concerns, and other small corporations.
Spin-offs: Co-sponsors of a major stage play, ‘Voice for Ella’ staged on the third week of December
International highlights: Commendation from Vogue Magazine USA
Other info: “We just wanted young Nigerians to have something of their own. Produced and printed by their own people for them! All we need to do is refuse sub-standards. We are all sick and tired of the perception (and sometimes fact) that all good things come from out side of this country. We CAN do it here, we just need to KNOW it.”
Why we chose this: What the publisher of Juice is doing is raising a strong team of young people who are holding steadfast to high standards in writing and creativity
Name: Bubbles
How old: Since 1992 (Re-packagd in 2004)
What need is it filling: providing entertainment and ‘edu-tainment’ news for the young generation (music audience)
Circulation: Most states of the country
Average age of editors: 29
Financing: The publisher who is below 31, and Advert funds
Events in past one year: Bubbles Second Year Anniversary, Say It Loud (Abuja), Most Beautiful Girl in LASU, Da Jump Off
Achievement in past one year: Being the most consistent and detailed entertainment journal in the country
Interviews in past one year: Everyone who matters in the music industry – Dbanj, 2face, Weird MC, P-square etc
How have you survived in past one year: “Having the determination to become the most consistent and also having the skills for personal relationships which helps immensely for the marketing needed to sustain the magazine.”
How many editions in past one year: 6
Paid advertising in past one year: MTN, Mr. Biggs, Malta Guiness, Storm Records, T-joe, Joy, Minta Sweet and Orangootan
Spin-offs: Collaborations with Soundcity, Global Sounds, Say It Loud
Awards: Most Entertaining Soft-Sell Journal at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA)
Other info: They are easily the only musical journal in the country that seks to cover all the genres of the music industry
Why we chose this: In the entertainment industry, Bubbles has become an authority by dint of its consistency and depth
Name: Inspire
Age of Editor: 25
How many editions in past one year: One
Circulation: Cross River and Osun States
What need is it filling: “circulating a quality magazine with relevant, thought provoking and inspiring content especially for students”
Financing: By the Publisher/Editor
How have you survived: “Sheer will!”
Other info: He conceived and birthed the idea while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. Combining quality publishing with an engineering degree. Combining quality publishing with an engineering degree. He keeps pressing on amidst several challenges: raising funds, seeking adverts, mentors and interviews, expanding the reach of the magazine, and logistics (as he is undergoing the mandatory NYSC away from the home base of the magazine and he works Mondays through Saturdays at his primary place of assignment).
Why we chose this: Attempting to build a market in a low-readership zone like Osun State, and sticking with it is admirable.
Name: ICON
(Did not submit questionnaire)
Why we chose this: these guys are a symbol of the many young Nigerians - especially students - who are in the magazine business and who work extremely hard to make a name and we are proud of the successes they have made.
