Former Nigerian Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, alongside former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, have commended Akwa Ibom State for providing a peaceful, secure and investment-friendly environment for global businesses.
The former leaders spoke at the unveiling of the C54 News Global Streaming Dome in Uyo, where they highlighted the importance of credible African storytelling. Governor Umo Eno also declared the state ready to host international media organisations, technology investors and other global institutions.
Obasanjo said the initiative addressed a longstanding imbalance in global media narratives, in which African perspectives had often received limited attention.
He expressed optimism that C54 News would enable African leaders and citizens to learn from the continent’s experiences through news and documentaries, stressing that credible data was essential to development.
Jonathan described the platform as a timely investment in media and technology, commending its vision of connecting all 54 African countries to global audiences through news and documentaries.
He urged African media organisations to reshape perceptions of the continent by accurately showcasing its innovations, culture, resources, enterprise and economic opportunities.
Delivering the keynote address, Masisi described the launch as a strategic investment in Africa’s capacity to tell its own story. He urged the continent to move from being the subject of global conversations to actively shaping its narratives.
“Africans need credible, verified information to connect citizens, businesses, and governments. C54 News will bridge that gap by taking African stories to Africans and to the world,” he said.
Masisi called for stronger collaboration, local talent development and confident storytelling to build a more connected and prosperous Africa. He stressed that the platform’s credibility would depend on accuracy, independence, fairness and integrity.
Governor Eno described C54 News as a valuable addition to Akwa Ibom’s growing investment profile.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor said the organisation had made the right choice by siting its studio in the state, citing its peaceful atmosphere, security, hospitality and resourceful population.
He said his administration was positioning Akwa Ibom as a leading tourism destination and investment hub through strategic infrastructure, improved connectivity and a business-friendly environment.
Citing Al Jazeera in Doha and CNN in Atlanta, Georgia, Eno noted that global media institutions could raise the international profiles of their host cities.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the platform and showcasing the state’s development and investment opportunities.
Earlier, C54 News Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Idris Usman, said the platform was established to connect Africa through journalism, culture and ideas. He urged Africans to recognise the continent’s markets, industries, cultures and opportunities.
Professor Pat Utomi, founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership and chairman of the occasion, highlighted the importance of indigenous global media institutions in promoting African perspectives.
South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Professor Bobby Moroe, described the initiative as a step towards strengthening bilateral relations and continental unity.
C54 News is a 24-hour global streaming platform focused on news, documentaries and data, with its headquarters in Uyo. Its establishment is expected to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s international visibility and attract media and technology investors.
The event attracted lawmakers, traditional rulers, government officials, captains of industry, media executives and members of the diplomatic community.
