The inspirational story of

The story of Media Trust is an inspirational story of hope and willpower than anything else. Less than three years after the company started in a modest location in Kaduna in 1998, it went daily on January 15, 2001. At that time, it did not have the luxury of plenty resources or the invisible support of a political moneybag. More than anything else, the paper debuted at a time when there was a real need for it on the Nigerian media landscape; specifically to satisfy the thirst created by the failings of the dominant media outfits in the North. It also came when Abuja, the federal capital was hungry for the physical presence of credible media outlets that could capture the imagination of the expanding city and tap into its bourgeoning opportunities occasioned by the boisterousness of the country’s democracy.

Equally, the paper came when the elites and emerging middle class elements in the North were desperately seeking for a credible platform to ventilate their anger, frustrations as well as hopes and fears in democratising Nigeria where realignment of forces in politics and economics challenged existing assumptions. Individuals needed voices that easily reflected their identities in several respects, and; the North needed a platform that could re-enact the journalistic courage of the New Nigerian and broadcast prowess of Radio Television, Kaduna, institutions that attained journalistic excellence in the 60s through the 80s because of their principles of operating ‘without fear or favour’.

One can also add that the period of the ascendancy of the Trust coincided with the dying days of government owned newspapers in the states especially in the North. Many of the state governments killed their