Federal Character Explained

Federal Character
Type:Online newspaper
Founder:Etcetera Ejikeme[1]
Foundation:2019
Hq Location City:Maryland, USA

Federal Character is an online newspaper based in Maryland in the United States of America. It was founded in 2019 by Nigerian journalist and musician, Etcetera Ejikeme.[1] [2] Federal Character focuses on promoting good governance, development and egalitarianism, whilst reporting extensively on politics, business, sports and entertainment.[3] [4] [5]

History

Based in Maryland, Federal Character was founded in 2019 by Etcetera Ejikeme.[6] [7] A Nigerian journalist and musician, who previously ran a newspaper column in Nigerian daily newspaper, The Punch, titled Etcetera Live,[8] where he addressed issues in governance in Nigeria, including insecurity and corruption.[1] The newspaper has a team of writers based both in the United States and Nigeria.[1]

In March 2023, Federal Character moved into its permanent office in the Towson area of Maryland.[7] It was reported in April 2023, that Federal Character had hit over one million visitors to its website.[9]

Legal issues

In December 2022, it was reported that Federal Character had been denied registration by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of Nigeria, citing the unavailability of the name, Federal Character. The newspaper had argued that it had registered and trademarked the name in the United States of America, and as such, it should be considered for registration in Nigeria.[10]

In January 2023, afrobeats singer, Stella D'lyte, threatened to sue the newspaper publication for leaking the release dates for her album. Noting that the leak had a negative impact on her marketing strategy.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: April 12, 2023. Etcetera launches federal character. October 8, 2022. Guardian News.
  2. News: April 12, 2023. Etcetera Ejikeme returns to scene with Federal Character. October 12, 2022. The Nation Newspaper.
  3. News: April 12, 2023. Federal Character becomes news hub for Nigeria. December 4, 2022. Vanguard Newspaper.
  4. News: April 12, 2023. Federal Character's Quest for Good Governance. January 23, 2023. The Telegraph.
  5. News: April 12, 2023. US Midterm Poll and Maryland's Guber Contest. October 29, 2022. Thisday.
  6. News: April 12, 2023. Federal Character repositions for growth, marks 3rd year. February 14, 2023. Vanguard Newspaper.
  7. News: April 12, 2023. Federal Character restrategises for growth. March 12, 2023. Vanguard Newspaper.
  8. News: April 12, 2023. Time to change the change. April 2, 2016. The Punch.
  9. News: April 12, 2023. Federal Character site hits One Million Visitors. February 14, 2023. New Telegraph.
  10. News: April 12, 2023. Federal Character lambasts CAC over rejection. December 16, 2022. The Sun (Nigeria).
  11. News: April 12, 2023. Stella D'lyte threatens to sue Federal Character. January 23, 2023. The Telegraph.