Encomiums for Mba, NBC as Africast 2014 kicks off in Abuja

DG NBC Mr. Emeka Mba (Expect exclusive photos from Africast 2014 opening ceremony, tomorrow)

It was indeed the gathering of the very best and brightest in the nation’s broadcast industry and beyond as this year’s Africast kicked off in Abuja on Tuesday, October 21, amid plaudits and encomiums for the Mr. Emeka Mba-led National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), organizers of the historic event.

The theme of this year’s event, which was officially declared open by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim is: Digital Broadcast Content: Production, Sourcing and Delivery.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of NBC Board, Prof Herbert Onye Orji, was full of thanks to NBC and Mba for organizing a successful event and providing stakeholders in the African broadcasting firmament a solid platform to converge and exchange robust ideas.

Professor Orji in his brief but impactful address made it clear that digitalization was the future of broadcasting in Nigeria and the rest of Africa and urged all stakeholders to embrace it.

He also announced to the capacity-filled hall that the Federal Government had approved the sum of N200 billion to help begin the smooth transition to digital switch over.

 While declaring open the three-day-event that will come to a glorious end on Thursday, October 23, inside the Ladi Kwali hall of Sheraton Hall, the SGF, who was unavoidably absent and duly represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Engineer Ferdinand Agu, thanked the organizers for making Nigeria very proud with Africast 2014.

Agu stated that the Federal Government has pledged its unalloyed support to the broadcast industry, broadcasters and the Digiteam towards meeting the 2015 deadline for switch over.

The visibly elated Agu, who regretted his boss’ absence at such a historic and memorable gathering, further urged all present, especially broadcasters to put Nigeria first in all they do, stressing that we are a great nation.

“I’m happy to be here today. I want to commend the organizers for a job well done. Africast is good for Nigeria. I want to assure you all that FG will support broadcasters and the Digiteam to meet the 2015 deadline for switch over. I also want to thank all Nigerians for uniting very strongly to defeat Ebola. This has shown that a united Nigeria can surmount any challenge facing us as a nation.”

A very fulfilled Mr. Mba, in his   extempore speech, thanked all for coming to this year’s Africast, which is a biannual gathering that started in 1994.

He maintained that going digital requires a completely new mindset and proper funding.

History-making Mba, who was looking prim and proper in his designer’s suit and trademark white beads, assured the gathering amid applause that digitalization has come to stay in Nigeria.

He also made it clear that content is key to digitalization.

”Digitalization is a collaborative initiative that allows people to share ideas. Again, content providers should try and always understand what the consumers want. We at NBC are working tirelessly for the good of Nigeria and I want to also use this opportunity to specially thank the media for helping to stop the spread of Ebola in Nigeria.”

Articulate Mba posited that this year’s theme was chosen in recognition of the importance of content in the drive for a successful digital environment.

“Suffice it to say that the key driver for digital broadcasting remains content and in Nigeria, our cardinal aim is to transform the TV set into a comprehensive information terminal for the household and make broadcasting socially relevant.”

While shedding more light, Mba reiterated that digitalization is not just about technology, adding that what drives and increases content digital uptake, is the availability of content.

“Our role as the NBC and as organizers of this event, is to effectively manage the change that comes with digitalization, while ensuring that existing players are not unfairly treated, invite necessary fresh investment into the broadcasting landscape, promote innovation and limit the impact of the changes, as well as provide focused attention on the overall benefits of the digital switch over to the broadcast industry and the nation at large.”

With Mba’s insightful message and very deep understanding of the industry, where he plays the revered role of a regulator, it is very obvious that this year’s Africast, will no doubt provide a solid platform for stakeholders in Africa’s broadcasting space to converge and exchange ideas on how content is created around the world.

According to Mba, another critical aspect of Africast 2014, is the fact that it would allow broadcasters to explore the many possibilities offered by the new and emerging technologies that would be deployed to effectively and efficiently convey digital end products to the end users.

Meanwhile, in their respective goodwill messages, the Director Generals of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Voice Of Nigeria (VON), Sola Omole and Abubakar Jijiwa, hailed the NBC for organizing and making this year’s Africast a reality.

They also appealed for proper funding of the digitalization process, which they jointly agreed is the new way for the nation’s broadcast industry.

“All hands must be on deck to achieve the digitalization process. We need a marshal plan to help create funding for media houses, like a soft loan, that will help usher them into this new era”, Jijiwa added.

Dr. Tom Adaba, a former DG of NBC, while speaking on the advantages of digitalization, argued that content remains the major key that would drive the process and eventually lead to its success.

He ended his well applauded speech by specially thanking Mba and his dedicated team at NBC for championing digitalization through content at this year’s Africast.

Some of the special guests at the grand opening ceremony of Africast 2014, which will feature plenary, discussions and master classes include: Honourable Umar Buba Jibril, House Committee Chairman on Information, Danladi Bako, ex DG NBC and Commissioner of Information, Sokoto State, among several distinguished guests and personalities.