...A bold new social media platform set to redefine African engagement and ownership in the global digital space.
By Oladipo Oluwatosin
When Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the influential founder of ARISE News Channel and THISDAY Newspapers, announced the birth of Lekeleke; a new African-owned social media platform at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference in Abuja, it was more than a business move; it was a clarion call for digital liberation. Like the proverbial eagle that refuses to scratch the ground with chickens, Obaigbena once again chose to soar above convention, proving that Africa’s voice can echo across the digital skies.
The timing was symbolic. The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s execution; a somber reminder of the cost of truth-telling and the price of silence. Obaigbena used the occasion to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey. “Thirty years ago, we were under a military dictatorship. Today, we are here engaging freely with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We must understand why democracy matters, why we must engage, and why we must sustain it for the greater good of our nation,” he declared.
His words resonated with the biblical truth of Proverbs 29:18 ; “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” For Obaigbena, vision has always been the difference between stagnation and transformation. With Lekeleke, he envisions a digital platform where African creativity, intelligence, and culture take center stage; unfiltered, uncolonized, and unapologetic.
A Digital Revolution with an African Soul
Lekeleke; named after the elegant white heron, a bird symbolic of purity, grace, and freedom; represents Africa’s long-awaited flight into digital self-determination. For decades, Western-owned platforms have dictated the rhythm of online conversation, often muting authentic African narratives. Obaigbena’s Lekeleke seeks to change that tune, giving Africans control over their digital storytelling and data destiny.
The Yoruba adage says, “A river that forgets its source will soon run dry.” With Lekeleke, Africa returns to its source; reclaiming ownership of its voice in a world that too often speaks for it. Designed to connect creators, thinkers, and communities across borders, the platform aims to promote genuine dialogue, verified content, and responsible engagement.
Just as THISDAY once changed the face of Nigerian print journalism, and ARISE News redefined African broadcasting, Lekeleke stands poised to transform digital culture by placing value on truth, creativity, and community.
A Legacy Written in Ink, Broadcast in Vision
Prince Nduka Obaigbena’s life story is a masterclass in vision-driven leadership. Born in 1959 in Ibadan, he cut his teeth in journalism and later founded THISDAY in 1995, a newspaper that soon became the voice of the nation. Known for its bold headlines and sophisticated style, THISDAY became a platform for national discourse and democratic accountability during Nigeria’s turbulent years.
In 2013, he launched ARISE News Channel, broadcasting from London, New York, Johannesburg, and Lagos the first truly global African network. Through it, he fulfilled Isaiah 60:1 - “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” ARISE became that light; projecting Africa’s brilliance to the world and countering stereotypes with substance.
His media empire expanded to ARISE Magazine and ARISE Fashion Week, which celebrated African creativity on international stages. Through these platforms, he not only chronicled history but also inspired it; mentoring journalists, empowering designers, and influencing policy makers.
As Chairman of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the Nigerian Press Organisation, Obaigbena has fought tirelessly for press freedom, reminding the media that, as Jesus said in John 8:32, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
From Press Freedom to Digital Freedom
At the Abuja conference, Obaigbena warned that democracy and economic stability are fragile achievements that must be guarded with vigilance. “We are at the crossroads of reforms. We must protect our stability with everything we have. We must build a coalition of the willing to defeat terrorism, insecurity, and poverty,” he said.
This warning ties to the very mission of Lekeleke; a platform for truth, engagement, and responsible freedom. The minister of information may hold the megaphone, but Obaigbena is building the stage. By creating a platform that fosters constructive dialogue, he’s ensuring that democracy continues to thrive not just in print or broadcast, but in pixels and code.
As the proverb goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Lekeleke is not just Obaigbena’s flight; it is Africa’s collective journey into the digital promised land; a call for unity, collaboration, and purposeful engagement.
A Flight of Faith and Future
Obaigbena’s career mirrors that of the biblical Joseph; a dreamer who rose from obscurity to influence, using vision and wisdom to save nations in famine. Through his media ventures, he has fed minds, inspired reforms, and lifted countless voices. Now, through Lekeleke, he seeks to nourish a generation hungry for digital inclusion and authenticity.
Like the white heron after which it is named, Lekeleke is spreading its wings gracefully, purposefully, and prophetically. As Africa steps into a new dawn of digital sovereignty, Obaigbena’s legacy continues to echo Ecclesiastes 9:10 — “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
With Lekeleke, Africa is not just joining the digital conversation; it is leading it. From ink to internet, from newsroom to network, Nduka Obaigbena’s story reminds us that “a lamp that refuses to shine at home cannot light the world.”
