By Tolulope Eniola
The Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Information has commended the Ondo State Printing and Publishing Corporation (OSPPC), publishers of The Hope Newspaper and The Hope Magazine, for its efforts at repositioning the organisation and embracing a more corporate and commercially viable outlook.
The Committee gave the commendation during an oversight visit to the corporation in Akure on Monday to assess its operations, achievements and areas where legislative support could further enhance its growth.
The visit was led by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, while other members included Hon. Felix Afe, Hon. Temitope Akomolafe, Hon. Olajide Oguntodu and Hon. Nelson Akinsuroju.
Hon. Ifabiyi said the visit was part of the Assembly’s responsibility to understand the operations of the corporation and identify areas where government and legislative intervention could support its development.
He acknowledged the recent transition of OSPPC into a corporation, describing the development as an important milestone that would provide a stronger platform for the organisation to grow, improve its operations and enhance the welfare and career prospects of its workforce.
The Chairman urged the management to consolidate the gains recorded so far by developing clear financial and operational projections that would guide its new corporate status.
He said the committee was particularly interested in understanding the corporation’s financial position, its sources of revenue and how available resources could be deployed more effectively to sustain its operations.
Other members commended the management for its efforts to reposition The Hope Newspaper, particularly the introduction of its daily online edition, which he said had widened the newspaper’s accessibility beyond the state.
Members encouraged the corporation to strengthen its internally generated revenue through increased newspaper circulation, advertising, commercial printing and other viable business ventures.
They also acknowledged the support of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in transforming the media outfit to corporation, saying that it would provide greater opportunity for OSPPC to consolidate its operations.
They advised the management to maintain a strong relationship with the Assembly and provide regular updates on its needs so that appropriate legislative support could be considered.
Members encouraged the corporation to take advantage of its new corporate status by expanding its revenue base and developing sustainable business opportunities.
They urged the management to continue to improve the quality and marketing of its products, noting that The Hope Newspaper had the potential to compete favourably with other newspapers beyond Ondo State.
They advised the corporation to explore modern commercial printing opportunities, stressing that investment in equipment capable of producing posters, banners, bill books, security documents and other printing materials could open new revenue streams.
The Lawmakers urged the management to develop a comprehensive business plan and include priority equipment in its budget proposals, assuring that the Assembly would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the corporation.
The committee also encouraged OSPPC to intensify the marketing of The Hope Newspaper and The Hope Magazine, stressing that improved visibility and aggressive marketing would attract more readers, advertisers and commercial partners.
Earlier,the Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of OSPPC, Prince Kayode Fasua, thanked the committee for the visit and its support for the corporation.
Prince Fasua said his administration had embarked on several initiatives to reposition the organisation since his appointment by Governor Aiyedatiwa in October 2024.
He explained that the corporation had rehabilitated its printing machine, enabling it to resume in-house production and reduce the cost of external printing. He added that The Hope Newspaper had also progressed from a weekly publication to two editions weekly, with a daily digital front page published daily through social media platforms.
According to him, the long-term objective of the management is to transform The Hope Newspaper into a daily publication with national reach, while building a stronger digital presence.
Prince Fasua listed other achievements to include the rehabilitation of the corporation’s 100kVA generator, restoration of its staff bus and another vehicle, procurement of computers for the graphics section, two new printers and an automatic camera for photojournalists.
He said the newspaper’s distribution network had also been expanded beyond Ondo State to Lagos, Ibadan,other parts of the South-West and some other states, while the corporation had strengthened its advertising operations as part of efforts to increase internally generated revenue.
The OSPPC Chairman said the introduction of The Hope Magazine, which focuses on entrepreneurship, businesses, industries and developmental initiatives in Ondo State, was another avenue being explored to diversify the corporation’s revenue sources.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa and the House of Assembly for supporting the transition of the organisation into a corporation, saying the development would further strengthen its operations and address long-standing issues relating to staff career progression and post-retirement benefits.
Prince Fasua, however, stressed the need for modern printing equipment and improved capital funding to enable the corporation to expand its commercial printing operations and compete effectively in the industry.
He also called for stronger patronage of the corporation’s printing and publishing services, particularly through quality products capable of attracting customers on a competitive basis.
He said the management was determined to build a commercially viable organisation that would generate more revenue, expand its operations and restore the reputation of government-owned publishing.
The Chairman assured the committee that the management would take its advice seriously and continue to work towards improving the corporation’s financial, human-resource, technological and operational capacity.
He expressed optimism that, with sustained support from Governor Aiyedatiwa and the House of Assembly, OSPPC would emerge as a stronger, more competitive and financially sustainable media and printing organisation.
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