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A bold new voice has joined Africa’s fast-evolving media landscape as CBI News, a digital-first news platform was at the weekend officially launched with a mission to restore truth, credibility, and innovation to African journalism.
The platform — the brainchild of Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, Founder and Group Chief Executive of the Baywood Group — aims to lead a new era of independent, people-focused storytelling anchored on integrity, technology, and authentic African narratives.
In his opening address, Mr. Gbenga Adebija, Managing Director of CBI Digital Media, described the unveiling of the CBI News Mobile App (available on Android and iOS) as “a defining moment in the remarkable journey of CBI News 2020.”
He said the app represents more than a product launch, noting that it marks “a movement to empower, engage, and enlighten” audiences across the continent.
“Our vision is to be at the forefront of Africa’s digital media transformation, telling authentic African stories with credibility, creativity, and global relevance,” Adebija stated.
He attributed the company’s growth and innovation to Emperor Ibe’s foresight, rooted in the belief that “Africa must own its identity and shape the narrative of that identity.”
According to Adebija, CBI News is built on the ethos: “From Nigeria, for Africa, to the entire world.” The platform, he added, aims to amplify African voices while maintaining global standards of accuracy and integrity.
“Changing the game and owning the space is not just a slogan; it is a statement of intent,” he said. “Through the CBI News Hub, we are creating a platform that is technologically robust, purpose-driven, and responsive to the heartbeat of our beloved continent.”
Taking the stage, Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe delivered an impassioned address tracing the ten-year journey that birthed CBI News. He explained that the idea was driven by a vision to “change the narrative of African media” and liberate journalism from political compromise and sensationalism.
“Africa’s story must be told by Africans,” Ibe declared. “CBI News is a non-aligned media platform, not beholden to power or politics, but committed to credible, fact-checked, and human-centred reporting. We will tell stories that are emotional, transformative, and real.”
He stressed that the platform’s unique value lies in its focus on the human angle — stories that reflect real-life experiences, not just politics or crises.
“We want to tell stories that connect us, stories that speak to our challenges and triumphs,” he said. “Whether on TV, web, or your phone, our promise is simple — truth, clarity, and credibility.”
Ibe also underscored the centrality of technology and innovation in the platform’s operations, pledging that CBI News will prioritise factual storytelling, rigorous fact-checking, and active audience engagement.
“We are bringing credible news to every smartphone, home, and community, building a platform that protects people through knowledge,” he added.
In his goodwill message, Mr. Dele Momodu, Publisher of Ovation magazine, hailed the initiative as “a timely and necessary disruption” in a media industry grappling with misinformation and waning credibility.
“CBI News has come to raise the bar for factual reporting,” Momodu said. “At a time when truth is being drowned by noise, this platform stands as a beacon of integrity and innovation.”
The high-profile launch drew media executives, technology innovators, and business leaders from across Nigeria and beyond. Many attendees commended the initiative as a transformative step towards rebuilding trust in African journalism and positioning the continent as a global thought leader in digital storytelling.
Beyond its mobile app, CBI News aims to evolve into a fully integrated Pan-African media powerhouse, blending digital broadcasting, data intelligence, and creative storytelling to deliver real-time, credible content to millions.
Summing up the company’s mission, Adebija said: “This is our contribution to shaping an informed society, an inspired Africa, and a more connected world. Together, let us tell the African story powerfully — and most importantly, tell it the CBI News way.”
With its official debut, CBI News positions itself not merely as another media outlet, but as a transformative force determined to reclaim journalism’s integrity, amplify Africa’s voice, and champion truth in an age of digital disruption.
