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A SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL, NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION, ENGR. YOMI BOLARINWA FNSE AT THE NEW YEAR PRESS PARLEY,HELD AT PROTEA HOTEL, ABUJA, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2013.
It is indeed for me a pleasure, to welcome everyone into the New Year 2013, and to also express on behalf of my team, my deep appreciation to you my colleagues in the press for your support and sustained partnership through Year 2012.
This gathering in the first quarter of 2013, is to provide an opportunity for us as partners to be acquainted with the focus of the Commission this year and to collectively agree to continue to work together towards attaining the vision of developing a virile and responsive broadcast industry in Nigeria.
Despite the challenges faced last year, we thank Almighty God for seeing us through into a New Year. 2012 witnessed the celebration of the Commission’s 20th Anniversary, The Commission also organised Africast 2012 which was acclaimed to be one of the best ever. The Commission also in 2012, recorded appreciable success in the Monitoring of Gubernatorial elections in two states ( Edo and Ondo), and some local government areas in the Country.
l must not fail to draw your attention to the phenomenon of digital broadcasting. The transition from analogue to digital transmission is imminent. Nigeria will have to review the switchover date, which I must say is not only unique to Nigeria. Due to the enormity of the phenomenon, many other climes have had to review their switchover dates, the important thing is to meet the deadline of June 2015. As we are all aware, the Federal Government of Nigeria, on December 20th, 2012, inaugurated DIGITEAM NIGERIA. The Digiteam Nigeria is made up of a group of professionals who have not only contributed immensely to the industry, but have years of experience to handle the mandate. This group of eminent Nigerians will drive the process of the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television transmission in Nigeria in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Commission.
Some of the core responsibilities of the DIGITEAM NIGERIA are to:
Ø Establish and implement a comprehensive public awareness programme in consultation with
stakeholders and the regulator,
Ø Follow-up all processes towards the enactment of all the enabling laws and necessary amendments to
existing legislations,
Ø Develop the specifications of the set-up-box (STB) taking into consideration the need, or otherwise, for
establishing a minimum specification for an STB,
Ø Carry out all relevant activities related to the success of the transition programme amongst other very
important mandates.
The National Broadcasting Commission is committed to piloting this transition and giving total support to DIGITEAM NIGERIA in order for it to achieve its mandates with your cooperation.
Also of major concern to the Commission this year is the encouragement of public participation in broadcasting. We will increase public enlightenment aimed at encouraging the viewing and listening public to get actively involved in identifying and complaining about broadcast materials that do not conform to their value systems. The airwaves belong to the People and while the Commission continues to carry out its mandate, the people have the right to complain in conformity to Section 13.0.1 of the Code which states that:
‘The Commission shall receive and enquire into any complaint; and where necessary arbitrate or impose sanctions for any non-compliance or non- adherence to:
Øthe content of broadcast materials
ØConduct of the broadcast station
ØTerms and conditions and obligations of any broadcast licence
ØNBC Act, The Code and any other regulation of the Commission
The National Broadcasting Commission would also rely on you, our friends in the Press, to help in this enlightenment process.
This year also, the National Broadcasting Commission would focus on raising awareness within the Broadcasting Industry, to encourage operators of broadcasting stations to invest in developing compelling broadcast content that would attract and sustain viewership/listenership. The need for training and re-training of operatives will also be addressed by the Commission in the course of the year.
In conclusion, let me on behalf of the management and staff of the National Broadcasting Commission, thank you once again for honouring our invitation and partnering with us to achieve our goal of ensuring that we have a broadcasting industry comparable to the best in the world.
Happy New Year all.
Thank you for your attention. |
