The Publisher of Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu, has described the Nigerian media industry as a challenging and complex venture, comparing it to an “abiku” or “ogbaje”—a spirit child that repeatedly dies and returns to life.
Momodu made the remarks on Friday during the official inauguration of the CBI News App in Lagos.
“As far as I am concerned, being a media investor in Nigeria is what the Yorubas call ‘abiku’ and the Igbos call ‘ogbaje’. It’s a child that you give birth to, which dies and comes back again. That is the media—constantly struggling to survive,” he said.
The veteran journalist highlighted the harsh realities facing media professionals, stressing that poor remuneration continues to drive many journalists to seek alternative means of survival.
“No journalist can survive on salary alone, even if you pay them ₦1 million monthly,” Momodu stated, underscoring the need for better welfare packages across the industry.
In his address, the Founder of CBI News and Chairman of the Baywood Group, Chris Ibe, said his motivation for launching the platform was to promote a new kind of storytelling in Africa—one that focuses on human-centric narratives rather than only on negative news.
“One of the angles missing in this part of the world is human-centric stories. News is not just about bad events—it’s also about people, their struggles, and their triumphs,” Ibe said.
He further explained that the credibility of any media organisation depends on its ownership structure, funding, and governance policies.
“There are clear corporate governance structures that will ensure ownership does not invalidate the potency and value proposition we are offering our audience,” said Adebija, a representative of the CBI leadership team.
Ibe also assured that journalists working with CBI News would be adequately protected through a premium national insurance plan, guaranteeing their safety and the welfare of their families.
“Every journalist that works with CBI will have a premium insurance plan. We want them to report without fear or compromise,” he added.
The launch of CBI News marks a renewed effort to redefine media practice in Nigeria—placing value on professionalism, human stories, and ethical reporting.
