The media career exploits of a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Deba Uwadiae, editor and publisher of New Americans Magazine in Columbus, United States has been lauded in a recent report by The Columbus Dispatch Newspaper.
In the report, Uwadiae a former Political, Aviation and Travel correspondent of Vanguard Newspaper before relocating to the US was acknowledged for his personal touch as a networker, in part, that has given The New Americans Magazine a reputation as a news source for — and by — central Ohio’s myriad immigrant groups.
“While other immigrant-run local news outlets exist — such as Ohio Somali TV on YouTube and the Nepali-language Jagaran Newspaper in Reynoldsburg — The New Americans Magazine is unique in its breadth, serving readers and writers who originate from Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and beyond.
“Founded in 2016 as a four-page print newsletter — which Uwadiae distributed by hand — the magazine now publishes articles regularly on its website and using WhatsApp, a messaging platform popular among immigrant communities. Uwadiae runs the operation, along with the nonprofit New American Community Information Center, out of a humble office in the basement of a Northland-area office tower.”
According to Columbus Dispatch, New Americans Magazine covers political topics of importance to immigrant communities, such as the Ohio legislature’s vote last year to create a budget for the New African Immigrants Commission.
It also report a variety of cultural events — from a Macedonian festival in Reynoldsburg last year to recent art shows by Togolese and Bangladeshi artists.
Last month, it published an article about the local Sudanese community celebrating their independence day with solemnity this year amidst worry over Sudan’s descent into political instability.
Fantastic !