Chinedu Onyejelem, Editor and Publisher, Metro Eireann
Chinedu Onyejelem is the Editor and Publisher of the 'multicultural' newspaper, Metro Eireann, co-founded by him and Abel Ugba in April 2000. He is among Ireland's most visible and vocal African immigrants. He has worked as a journalist for the print and online editions of The Irish Times, and has also written for Garda Review and the Irish Catholic. He is a member of Irish Executive of the National Union of Journalists and he represents Ireland in the Black Members Council of the National Union of Journalists, UK and Ireland. He is a Minister for Justice nominee to the Steering Group of the National Action Plan Against Racism.
Chinedu is currently working to establish a multicultural radio station, Global Fm, in collaboration with the Irish Times and the Communicorp Group, and actively promotes immigrant entrepreneurship in Ireland.
 
1. Is this the first time you have made your own postcard, if not, when was the last time?
Yes. As a child we believed making postcards was for professionals.
2. Can you tell us a little about the inspiration or thoughts behind the card you’ve created?
The current economic downturn reminds me of the the saying that tough times never last but tough people do. Economic circle of boom, recession and burst means that people will continue to relive past experiences - good and bad.
3. As someone who works closely with migrants in Ireland, what message would you put on a postcard to a person or family newly arrived in Ireland?
Believe you can achieve your dream in this small but mighty island.
4. Do you remember the first time you ever received a postcard?
Not sure. I suspect it was during my secondary school years. I kept the postcard for fun for several years.
5. Do you have a cherished postcard?
Yes. One I got from a Dutch lady who lived in Africa for a year or so. It read: “If you don't like your neighbour: Move.” I kept it for years until I until I misplaced same.
6. Do you send letters/ postcards to your friends when away?
Once in a while. The advent of email, phone and text messages are absolutely to blame for this.
7. For christmas/ birthdays, do any of your friends or relatives ever send you a personally designed card?
No, rather some of them send handmade ones. Workers deserve a few hours off at Christmas to create and send their own postcards by standard post or via a dedicated medium – I suggest An Post's epost.
8. If you could write a postcard sized message to your family and friends, what would it say?
The world revolves around special people like you!
9. Have you ever kept special postcards you've ever received? Where do you keep them?
Yes. Had some in the family album and on the wall until something strange happened to them.
10. Did you ever enter a postcard competition on television, back before email/ texts?
No. I never got that opportunity. If I had, no doubt the prize for the worse postcard could have gone to me. | 
