NBC boss, Emeka Mba commends MultiChoice on 20 years of contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth

 L-R: Dr. Tom Adaba Mr. Emeka Mba, Director Genaral, NBC; Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman, MultiChoice Nigeria and Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria

MultiChoice Nigeria has been commended by Emeka Mba, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, for its tenacity in weathering economic storms and playing a frontline role in the quest to avail Nigeria of world-class digital broadcasting. In the process, MultiChoice has unleashed an economic multiplier and a wave of enterprise development schemes that is reflected in sundry sectors.

Mr. Mba, who made the commendation at the event held in Lagos November 17, 2013 to celebrate MultiChoice Nigeria’s 20 years of providing premium content to Nigerians on the pay-TV platform, said: “Following through your exploits, it was unusual to find a multinational of MultiChoice’s pedigree come into a terrain that was passing through so much turmoil. Establishing operations in Nigeria at a time other companies were taking flight was not only commendable, the tenacity with which MultiChoice has pursued growth in all facets of the country’s economy cannot be overemphasized.”

Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman, MultiChoice Nigeria, said the success of the company is built on years of investment and deep commitment to the growth of digital broadcasting and support structure in the country. The investments, he said, have helped to enhance the profile of Nigerian content across the African continent and in other parts of the world.

“Being the first licensed operator was not an easy task. It came with the need to constantly innovate to stay ahead with cutting-edge technology while still creating digital television channels which are backed up with world-class service. We started in 1993 with satellite broadcast, which was the first in Africa and second in the world. It was not easy introducing a new concept to Nigeria and an enormous challenge, as the market had not previously had an experience of pay-TV television. Our reputation was built on the proud legacy of our investment,” Mr Ogunsanya said, adding that the company would continue to invest in the Nigerian economy as by so doing, lives are enriched, communities grow and industries are positively impacted.

MultiChoice is credited with enhancing access to premium, digital pay-TV content when it introduced several affordable decoders into the market plus five bouquets - DStv Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus and Premium. In addition, the introduction of GOtv, another highly affordable television service which delivers a selection of exciting channels in great picture and sound quality, has helped to enhance skills and expertise across board in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Its state-of-the-art high definition studio, the first in Africa, was sited in Lagos. The availability of the studio facility in Nigeria led to the production of hit television shows such as Tinsel, 53 Extra, Jara, among several other content which are popular in Nigeria and also well received across Africa.

John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, said the pay-TV company celebrates the family as the pillar that sustains its business in the last 20 years. “At MultiChoice, we pride ourselves as the global leader in technology. We bring entertainment to homes in over 50 countries across the African continent. The theme for our 20^th anniversary celebration, ‘Keeping families together for over 20 years’, was not chosen casually. It is a major responsibility for MultiChoice that serves both as a mantra and a philosophy, a promise that we will invest continually in cutting edge technology and the content we expose daily will help create the atmosphere we call home.

“Through our DStv, GOtv, mobile and online platforms, we provide wholesome family entertainment on over 150 channels. We constantly expand the frontiers of content generation to remain competitive globally. We rub off on the Nigerian economy in unquantifiable ways,” added Mr Ugbe.

The DStv Explora, the newest innovation in high definition (HD) decoder technology, was unveiled at the colourful event attended by subscribers, the media, Nigeria’s leading entertainment figures, regulators and captains of industry.