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Interswitch’s Dr. Cherry Eromosele Calls for Human-AI Balance in Marketing at BJAN Conference 2025
From L–R: Dr. Dare Ogunyombo, Lecturer, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye; John Ehiguese, CEO, Mediacraft Associates, Lagos; Daniel Obi, National Chairman, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN); Clara Okoro, Immediate Past Chairman, BJAN; Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, Chairman, NIPR Lagos Chapter; and Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands and Communication, Interswitch, at the 2025 Brands and Marketing Conference organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), held recently at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
At the 2025 Brands and Marketing Conference hosted by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Interswitch Group, emphasised the need for marketers and journalists to adopt a balanced, collaborative approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI).Her keynote address was delivered on her behalf by Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands and Communications, Interswitch. Speaking to the conference theme, “AI and the Future of Marketing Workflow: Disruption or Opportunity?”, Dr. Eromosele noted that AI has already reshaped how content is created, distributed, and evaluated. She emphasised that while the technology unlocks new levels of efficiency, it also requires responsible adoption and continuous human oversight.
In her words:“The real risk is not in the technology itself, but in the reluctance to adapt. AI will enhance human output, but it still requires human judgment to ensure accuracy, context, and responsible use.”She stressed the importance of sustained capacity building for marketing and communications professionals, adding that organisations must empower their teams with the skills needed to work confidently with AI-powered tools.“Human insight, creativity and ethical consideration remain essential. Professionals who understand how to integrate these strengths with AI-driven capabilities will be better positioned for the evolving landscape,” she said.Her session also incorporated interactive elements, including demos and video clips that showcased both the promise and the pitfalls of AI such as AI-generated newsroom mistakes and unpredictable outputs, reinforcing the need for careful human review in all automated workflows.Dr. Eromosele expanded on the structural shifts AI is driving in the marketing ecosystem, highlighting the ‘New Marketing Trinity’ of data, creativity and algorithms, where AI now acts as a powerful multiplier that accelerates insight, precision and storytelling across multiple touchpoints.
She went on to outline five major transformations redefining modern marketing practice, including the shift from campaigns to always-on brand conversations, from fixed demographics to dynamic personas, and from traditional media buying to predictive distribution models that anticipate audience needs even before campaigns begin.She also noted that emerging Agentic AI systems are evolving from basic content generators into autonomous co-workers capable of planning, learning and executing tasks, enabling brands to operate with unprecedented operational efficiency and speed.Despite these advancements, she emphasised that the industry is entering “The Age of the Augmented Marketer,” where AI amplifies human capability rather than replacing it. According to her, this new era demands skills such as data storytelling, AI literacy, no-code orchestration and multi-modal content creation, all anchored in strategic thinking, ethics and cultural insight.Dr. Eromosele also cautioned that increasing AI adoption introduces significant risks, ranging from misinformation and algorithmic bias to IP breaches and reputation threats, calling for strong governance frameworks, ethical guidelines, audit trails and mandatory human review points.
Addressing journalists directly, she noted that AI is now deeply reshaping newsroom workflows, from story discovery and verification to production and personalisation, making trust, ethical literacy, subject-matter expertise and verification-first reporting more essential than ever in an increasingly automated media environment.Held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the BJAN Conference brought together industry experts, technology leaders and brand journalists for a rich examination of the shifts redefining marketing practice. The event opened with a welcome address by BJAN Chairman, Daniel Obi, followed by remarks from the Guest of Honour, Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director, SO&U. A special address was also presented on behalf of Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, Director-General of ARCON, by Lady (Dr.) Sussie Agbo, Director of Registration at the Council.The conference featured additional keynote contributions from Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, and a panel session comprising Segun Umoru (representing Lanre Basanta, Co-Founder/CEO, Optima AI Lab), Emma Adeniran, ICT expert, Dr. Seyi Akindehinde, CTO, Digital Encode, and Tomi Ogunlesi.Moderated by Adedayo Odulaja, Secretary, BJAN, the conversation explored AI governance, workflow optimisation, cybersecurity risks and the evolving role of marketing professionals in an AI-enabled world.As conversations around AI continue to shape the future of marketing and communications, Interswitch reaffirmed its commitment to driving innovation, thought leadership and industry-wide capacity building. The brand’s participation at the BJAN Conference emphasised its long-standing dedication to advancing responsible, technology-enabled marketing practice across Nigeria and beyond.
NEWS
Governor Dauda Lawal Wins New Telegraph Governor of the Year Award for Remarkable Development Initiatives
In a significant recognition of his leadership and developmental agenda, Dr. Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has been awarded the prestigious New Telegraph Governor of the Year Award for Projects. This accolade comes just a day after he received the Governor of the Year award from Leadership Newspaper in Abuja. The gala ceremony took place at the renowned Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos on Friday, February 13, 2026, showcasing the governor’s exceptional contributions to the state.
The award was presented to Governor Lawal by Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State and a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside His Excellency Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Publisher of New Telegraph and former Governor of Abia State. Both leaders expressed their admiration for Governor Lawal’s substantial investments in crucial sectors such as education, road construction, agricultural development, security enhancement, and capacity building. These initiatives have played a vital role in transforming Zamfara into a flourishing hub of infrastructural renewal and socio-economic growth.
During the award dinner, event organizers emphasized that Governor Lawal’s selection was based on his impressive track record of creating impactful projects and driving sustainable development within the state. The governor’s commitment to transparency, fiscal prudence, and exceptional budget performance has set a new standard for governance in Zamfara.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Lawal reflected on his campaign promises aimed at rescuing the state from years of infrastructural neglect. He noted that visible transformations are taking place, with Zamfara steadily evolving into a well-structured and efficient entity. He highlighted his administration’s focus on revamping the civil service to enhance efficiency and integrating technology to improve governance.
Governor Lawal also reassured the attendees that his administration is steadfastly on course to complete all ongoing projects, meeting and exceeding established standards. He underscored his unwavering commitment to the overall development of Zamfara, vowing to continue elevating the state from its previous struggles to a vibrant and sustainable community committed to the welfare of its citizens.
As a testament to his belief in collaborative governance, he dedicated the award to the resilient and supportive people of Zamfara. He expressed deep gratitude for their trust and encouragement, emphasizing that their faith in his leadership fuels his drive toward ensuring a prosperous future for the state.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has launched an urban radio station in Lagos, making it the third radio station he has established.
The launch took place today, Friday, 13th February 2026, in commemoration of his annual thanksgiving programme, which began a few weeks ago and will end on Sunday, 15th February 2026.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly; the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education; the Oloto of Oto-Awori Kingdom, who donated two plots of land for the establishment; the Iyaloja of Oto-Awori Kingdom; and other prominent individuals such as Vincent Okurafor and Sunday Oladeji, among others.
According to Primate Ayodele, the establishment of the radio station was driven by his passion for communication and his desire to keep people informed about current happenings in their environment.
He made it known that the radio station is not for religious purposes but is intended to inform, educate, and celebrate people, as its operations will primarily serve the good people of Lagos State.
He also noted that the radio station will be donated to a professional management team that will make good use of it for the betterment of the less privileged, widows, the downtrodden, and others.
“I believe that when people are informed, the world will be a better place. Everyone deserves to know what is happening around them, and everyone deserves to be educated on issues of life. These are some of the reasons behind the creation of this radio station.
“It isn’t for my personal use or for religious reasons; it is basically to help the needy, support the downtrodden, lend a voice to the voiceless, empower widows, and serve the people right. The creation is centred around people, not necessarily to make money, but to render assistance.
“We will be donating it to a professional management team that will harness it properly for the good of the people.”
Furthermore, Primate Ayodele awarded full scholarships to two students in the vicinity.
While speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of LASUED, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, who was ably represented, lauded the initiative, stating that students from the institution would undertake internships at the radio station.
“This is partnership in progress. At LASUED, we are very concerned about communication. We have an online radio station and a functional Department of Communication. This will support our interest in communication because we produce media practitioners. This company and the university will form a synergy, and our students will be able to undertake internships here. We are deeply concerned about this and we cherish it a lot. It has become a mouthpiece for the community, and on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, I wish this company profound success.”
Other dignitaries also commended the initiative, noting that it would benefit the community at large and create significant economic expansion.
It is worth noting that some of the equipment installed at the radio station is of global standard, including a studio that supports visual transmission. Overall, the current cost of the station is estimated at no less than N700 million.
NEWS
Governor Lawal Honored with Leadership Newspaper Governor of the Year Award, Pledges Continued Commitment to Zamfara’s Development
The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, Ph.D., has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering dedication to fostering tangible progress and rebuilding public trust in the governance of Zamfara State. His commitment to the state’s development was underscored during the recent Leadership Newspaper annual conference, where he was awarded the LEADERSHIP Newspaper Governor of the Year Award today Thursday 12th of February at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
This award symbolizes recognition from the LEADERSHIP Newspaper, which aims to honor distinguished figures who have made significant contributions worthy of national admiration. According to a statement released by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the annual awards and conference highlight exemplary leadership and achievements across various sectors in Nigeria.
The event was graced by notable figures, including Dr. Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, who delivered an insightful keynote address. Dr. Mohammed elaborated on this year’s theme: “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria,” emphasizing the critical need for strong governance to navigate contemporary challenges.
When presenting the award to Governor Lawal, the LEADERSHIP Newspaper highlighted the governor’s exemplary leadership qualities and his comprehensive transformative initiatives that have marked significant progress in Zamfara State. The statement noted, “Governor Dauda Lawal’s remarkable performance and courageous leadership have positioned Zamfara on a renewed path of progress, peace, and sustainable development.”
This recognition is a testament to the impactful policies and initiatives launched under Governor Lawal’s administration, including efforts to enhance security, improve infrastructure, and promote economic growth. The newspaper concluded that Governor Lawal’s leadership reflects excellence and profound commitment to the welfare of his constituents, making him exceptionally deserving of this esteemed national recognition.
Notably, this accolade follows closely on the heels of another significant honor bestowed upon the governor just two weeks prior, when he was named The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year at a ceremony held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos. These accolades signify a growing acknowledgment of his transformative leadership and the positive changes taking root in Zamfara State under his guidance.
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