‘Tell your stories or AI will misrepresent you’

A prominent regional broadcasting firm, Afia Media, has unveiled a high-profile intellectual and recognition platform to steer the narrative and economic development of the South-East region of Nigeria.

The initiative, tagged the “Afia Annual Lecture and Awards,” is designed to bring together key stakeholders from government, business, academia, culture, and civil society to brainstorm on the future of the zone and celebrate exceptional achievements.

In a statement on Tuesday, the inaugural edition of the event is scheduled to hold in Enugu in the fourth quarter of 2026.

According to the statement, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Afia Media, Emeka Mba, stated that the platform represents the organization’s commitment to amplifying the voices, aspirations, and developmental priorities of the region.

“The South-East is one of Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial and culturally vibrant regions.

The Afia Annual Lecture and Awards is designed to provide a credible platform for dialogue, recognition, and collective action towards the region’s future,” Mba said.

The event will feature two major segments: a high-level lecture segment bringing together policymakers and public-private sector leaders, and an award gala night celebrating institutions and individuals making giant strides in the region.

Highlighting the urgency for the South-East to actively control its narrative, a Director at Afia Media, Mrs. Ijeoma Ezeasor, warned that the region risks being misrepresented in an increasingly digital and artificial intelligence-driven world if it fails to document its own progress.

Ezeasor said, “If we do not tell our own story, others will tell it for us. We are entering an era where artificial intelligence is shaping conversations, interpreting history, and influencing decisions based on the information available to it. If the South-East does not deliberately document its achievements, define its aspirations, and contribute its perspective to global conversations, others will define us on our behalf.”