Hi, I am Imuetinyan.
Welcome to my corner of the world! When my talented website developer suggested I write this introductory blog post, I had no clue where to start. But after some midday adult naps and late evening hot showers, clarity dawned on me.
From the moment I chose to pursue storytelling and journalism, my goal was clear: to hone my skills to the point where I could work for esteemed news organizations like BBC Africa and CNN International.
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During my first year of graduate school, I secured an internship at a media company in Washington DC. There, I immersed myself in the worlds of journalism and broadcasting. Though the internship lasted only six months, the lessons I learned were for a lifetime.
While I cherished my time in media spaces, working alongside reporters, and even making appearances on air, I soon realized that journalists often tell stories shaped by their editors, sometimes altered to fit the stereotypical narrative.
At that time, I was hopeful for a job offer after the internship ended, but when it didn't materialize, my older sister, Abieyuwa, encouraged me to start a YouTube channel. "While waiting for your dream job with BBC Africa, start building your online presence," she said.
I hesitated for a couple of years before taking her advice and slowly began creating content online.
Over time, I occasionally covered stories for the same news outlet and grew disenchanted with how my stories were manipulated. It was then that I decided to venture into the world of independent storytelling.
Fast forward to 2024, and I've established my own media company, IU.Media, short for Imuetinyan Ugiagbe Media.
The journey hasn't been easy; I've encountered more failures than successes. Yet, each setback has taught me invaluable lessons that I wouldn't have learned otherwise.
No matter how challenging the road may appear, no matter how weary I may feel, every day I wake up with a singular purpose: to share stories.
Most days, after my adult naps and hot late evening showers, I sit at my desk crafting new stories or thinking of whom I might want to interview.
You see, I feel it is a privilege that people trust me with telling their stories. I believe stories are personal secrets, archives of our human experience, and the permanent footprints in the sand that inform the world we have seen and lived.
When I am invited into the world of another to listen to the tale that has shaped and formed the soul of this person, I am always honored, and the shared moment leaves me with great satisfaction.
I believe deeply in the transformative power of storytelling—it has the ability to change the world. That's why I tell stories: to inspire, to empower, and to make a difference in my corner of the world.