Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that efforts are in progress to resume the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in the country, a process that had encountered an unprecedented interruption.
Speaking at the inauguration of Africast 2023, the biggest broadcasting event which held at Marriot Hotel, Ikeja, the Minister emphasized that the transition to Digital Switch Over (DSO) will be given top priority, considering its critical role in the growth and advancement of the Nigerian broadcast industry. He expressed regrets over the setbacks that accompanied the initiative.
In his commitment to collaborate with crucial stakeholders in the industry, the Minister expressed determination to incorporate global best practices in the implementation and migration to digital broadcasting in the country.
He said: “As Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, I would like to use this opportunity to pledge my full support and commitment to the growth and development of the broadcast and digital entertainment industry.
“As a Government, we are very serious about enabling and supporting private enterprise. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands that the success of his governing agenda, the Renewed Hope agenda, critically depends on the buy-in and support of the private sector. Our goals of creating jobs, tackling poverty, building the skills and capacity of our people, and ensuring that no one is left behind—can only be achieved in close partnership with the private sector”.
Recognizing the immense opportunities in the creative industry, the Minister, affirmed that the synergy between the private and public sectors is vital to drive and accelerate investment and profitability of the industry.
“I have no doubt that, by combining the political will of government, and the technical and financial expertise of the private sector, we will succeed” he said.
Africast 2023, slated to hold from 24th to 26th is convened and hosted by the National Broadcasting Commission of Nigeria (NBC). It brings together global and local industry players in the Broadcast, Media and Entertainment sectors.
With the theme: “Broadcast Content: Synergy, Finance and Market”, the event is well curated to spotlight latest innovations, content, services and products as well as to stimulate conversations that will reshape the broadcast industry.
The event which was well attended by delegates from around the world, industry stalwarts, media guru and legends in the broadcast industry also had some spectacular speakers at the event.
Some of the reputable individuals who spoke at the event are Aziz Hajiyev, Chief Business Development Officer, Svyatoslav Schegolev, Head, RT Media, Carl Raccah, CEO, Pineapple Productions and Media Limited, Alan Kasujja, Lead Presenter, Africa Daily Podcast, BBC, Victoria Budanova, Head, Sputnik Africa and several others.
Notable personalities who also graced the event are the Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, Chairman Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), John Ugbe, Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, Country Manager Sony (DI Marketing), Bukola Oloyede, Director General, Nigeria Television Authority, Abdulhamid Dembos, Chairman/CEO Channels Media Group, John Momoh, Executive Head of Content, Multichoice, Dr. Busola Tejumola, CEO, Zuri Media, Femi Odugbemi, Managing Director, PHD, Dozie Okafor, to mention a few.
Recall that on the 29th of April 2021, the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of the former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had officially launched the highly anticipated Digital Switch Over (DSO) initiative in Lagos in a landmark event which signified the commencement of the second phase of the DSO rollout across the nation.
The initial phase took place in Jos, Abuja, Ilorin, Kaduna, Enugu, and Osogho-Ajala, spanning from April 2016 to February 2018.
