Media group, Afia Media, has announced the launch of the Afia Annual Lecture and Awards, to bring together leaders from government, business, academia, culture and civil society to discuss the future of the South-East and celebrate excellence across the geo-political zone.
The initiative is expected to become an annual gathering focused on leadership, policy dialogue, regional development and the recognition of outstanding contributions to society.
The inaugural edition, themed, “Uwa Bu Afia: Trading Ideas for Development,” is scheduled to hold in the fourth quarter of 2026 in Enugu and will be streamed digitally to audiences across Nigeria and the diaspora.
According to the organisers, the Annual Lecture and Awards are designed as a platform that will convene policymakers, business leaders, academics, innovators, creatives, development partners and other stakeholders to examine opportunities and challenges facing the South-East.
Speaking on the initiative, the founder and chief executive officer of Afia Media, Emeka Mba, said the platform reflects the organisation’s commitment to amplifying the voices, aspirations and development 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 organisers said the event is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants physically, while millions more are projected to follow proceedings through television, radio and online broadcasts.
The theme, “Uwa Bu Afia,” derived from the Igbo expression meaning “the world is a marketplace,” was chosen to reflect the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and innovative capacity that have long defined the people of the South-East.
Speaking on the theme’s significance, the director at Afia Media, Mrs Ijeoma Ezeasor, said the region must take ownership of its narrative in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.
