Jos agog as Emeka Mba-led NBC flags off Digital Switch Over (DSO)

From Left: Mba, Gov Jang and Maku during the flag off of the DSO, which was performed by Jang

From Left: Mba, Gov. Jang, Maku listening with rapt attention on how the DSO works from an official of NBC

Dignitaries on the high table, including Mba and Maku, (R), on the high table

History was recently made when the nation’s apex broadcast regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), under the visionary and cerebral leadership of Mr. Emeka Mba flagged off the pilot scheme of the much-talked about Digital Switch Over (DSO) from analogue to digital terrestrial television transmission in line with global best practices.

The classy, colourful and high-octane ceremony, which held at the upscale Eliel Centre, Gold and Base, Jos, Plateau State, on June 30, 2014, was specially graced by eminent Nigerians alongside the who is who in the nation’s broadcast industry, this SHOWBIZPLUSng can authoritatively report.

In his keynote address, history-making Mba, who was hugely hailed by all the dignitaries that spoke at the epoch making event, thanked the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government for approving the process of the switch over and equally setting a deadline of January 1, 2015, as the switch off date.

On why Jos, the capital of Plateau was chosen as the city for the pilot flag off, Mba said it was because of its compactness and accessibility.

“Jos has its fair compliment of government-owned and privately-owned broadcasting stations. Jos is the home of the first colour television station in most of Africa, except Tanzania. Jos is also the home of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) College among other firsts”, elated Mba stated amid applause and cheers from the crowded hall.

Shedding more light on the benefits of the digital transmission, which process began in Nigeria on June 17, 2006, articulate Mba, posited it would automatically lead to save in spectrum, since a minimum of ten programmes (channels) could be transmitted simultaneously, using MPEG-4 compression technique.

“There will also be higher quality audio and video, efficient signal processing and flexibility in programmes editing. It will also afford viewers greater variety with added services such as internet, multimedia, banking, home shopping, pay per view, video-on-demand and faster rate of data transmission. It will also allow the consistency of data flow over long distances, interactive programming (two-way data exchange). Lower digital transmitter power would cover a wider area and support for reliable mobile reception of video, internet and multimedia data”, Mba disclosed amid more accolades from the excited guests.

Also speaking, the chief host of the grand gathering, which was transmitted live on NTA and governor of Plateau State, Dr. Jonah David Jang commended Mba and his team for transporting Nigerian television viewers from analogue to digital.

“I want to specially thank the NBC under Mba for choosing Jos as the pilot city for this historic flag off. It is a step in the right direction. We will remain grateful for this, which is another first for our great Plateau”, the happy governor stated in his brief but punchy speech.

Visibly elated Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who spoke twice at the event that was equally graced by dignitaries from the diplomatic community, hailed the digital switch over and described it as a landmark achievement.

Maku stated that the switch over was part of the transformation agenda of the Jonathan’s administration, adding that despite the challenges confronting us as a nation, President Jonathan is ever willing to make Nigeria great.

“I want to commend and congratulate Emeka Mba and his team for this historic switch over taking place in Jos. I also want to thank President Jonathan for approving this process of digital switch over…”

In his update on the journey so far, which was beamed live on a projector, the chairman of the Digiteam, disclosed that a Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on transmission from analogue to digital broadcasting was inaugurated in 2008, to recommend a policy and regulatory framework and broadcasting model for the process.

Interestingly, the high point of the event was the flag off and unveiling of the mascot/logo of the DSO. This was graciously done by Dr. Jang, who kept on beaming with smiles while carrying out the historic task of officially switching Nigeria from analogue to digital television transmission. He was ably assisted by Messrs. Mba, Maku and other VIPs drawn from the high table, including the pioneer DG of NBC, Mr. Tom Adaba.

Meanwhile, earlier in their respective goodwill messages, the DGs of NTA, VON/BON, FRCN and chairman of RATTAWU, Messrs. Shola Omole, Abubakar Jijiwa, Ladan Salihu and Bamgbose, all applauded the switch over and gave plaudits to Mba and his team, for making it a reality after several years of underground works.

Both chairmen of Senate and House Committees on Information, while giving their remarks, also commended Mba and the NBC, for moving Nigeria to the next level in digital television transmission with the switch over.

They also promised to assist with bills in both Houses that will help the DSO to function effectively and efficiently.

In his remarks, Adaba, spoke passionately on how quality contents will help drive the success of digital television transmission in Nigeria.

He also challenged content providers to ensure their consumers are loaded with quality programmes, if they truly want to play big in the new order of digital transmission, which NBC has proudly kick started for Nigeria.

There were musical interludes from the Nigeria Police Band and the Plateau State Cultural Troupe respectively, while the memorable and turbo-charged ceremony that was supported by DStv/GOtv and Startimes lasted.