The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Ogoni clean-up: Activists express dissatisfaction with pace of work

    Ogoni clean-up: Activists express dissatisfaction with pace of work

    Rights Activists have advocated the need for the Federal Government to implement the original legal framework that established the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), for effective service delivery.

    It was at a one-day regional strategy meeting, on the ongoing Ogoni clean up.

    The meeting was convened by a civil society organisation known as Peoples Advancement Centre (PAC). It was meant to brainstorm on how they can assist the Federal Government interventionist agency to succeed in its mandate of cleaning up Ogoni polluted environment first, and later the Niger Delta and beyond.Speakers at the meeting identied lack of autonomy of the agency and inadequate manpower as major challenges affecting its operations.

    According to them, the law which established HYPREP provided for its independence, but regretted that the current arrangement where it is under Ministry of Environment as major reason for its abysmal performance.

    They called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to restore its autonomy to enable it operate freely to be able to deliver on its mandate.

    The Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action(ERA/FoEarth) Nigeria, Chima Williams in his view admitted that HYPREP had done some work in regards to its mandate but reiterated that it is below what is expected of them seven years after.

    He insisted that until the identified bottlenecks were removed, the possibility of the agency to function well remain bleak.

    “We have always called for the removal of leadership bottlenecks in the HYPREP’s operations for optimal service delivery…,

    He recalled that ERA originally agitated for a specific platform just to clean up Ogoni, but the Federal Government in his wisdom floated HYPREP as a template for the cleanup of the entire Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria in the future.

    “Part of what enabling laws for HYPREP provided for the independence of the Agency as an entity, howbeit, that independence has been eroded, as we have seen by the position of a Minister of Environment who oversees HYPREP operations.

    What was stated earlier on was that HYPREP should have its leadership sourced outside so that people with knowledge, technical know-how, those who can raise funds, look at the structures and work with people on the ground to ensure that what HYPREP had come to be is achieved.

    “But as we have seen, with the ministers being the chairmen of HYPREP Board, they have shown inconsistency in leadership, with every succeeding minister coming up with his own leadership style on HYPREP, and before they will begin to implement the policy they introduced, they are removed, and the next person coming will put aside the policy of his predecessor and that continues to tell on HYPREP’s performance rate.”

    Read Also: Obasanjo, Wike, Kukah preach reconciliation in Ogoniland

    The Convener of the meeting, Celestine Akpobari, wondered why HYPREP had not conducted study on the environment of other states in the Niger Delta.

    Akpobari said: “We have gathered here today to brainstorm to see what to get out of a bad situation. Our environment has been written off. What do we do?

    “How come that until now, HYPREP is even yet to consider where to conduct study in another state? By now, that should be on the table.”

    Also, a member of African Network and Economic Justice, Benin City, Innocent Edemaria said that for HYPREP to be as effective in its assigned responsibilities, the identified gaps must be addressed, adding that CSOs are willing to engage in robust advocacy mechanisms to ensure results.

    The Chairman, Nigeria Electoral Reform, Ezenwa Nwangwu said: “There is no way a minister of environment will be in Abuja and preside over how Ogoni will be cleaned up, that needs to be urgently addressed because it is affecting the speed of work in Ogoniland,” he insisted

    HYPREP’s Project Coordinator Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey said that the agency has recruited 500 youths for the security surveillance of clean-up sites and other facilities in Ogoniland.

  • Restructuring and Nigeria’s many shades of reality

    Restructuring and Nigeria’s many shades of reality

    • By Ademola Orunbon

    Regionalism has come back to prominence, as the political, economic, cultural and social meaning of space is changing in contemporary Europe. In some ways, politics, economics and public policies are de-territorialising; but at the same time and in other ways, there is re-territorialisation of economic, political and government activity. The “new regionalism” is the product of this decomposition and re-composition of the territorial framework of public life, consequent on changes in the states, the market and the international context. Functional needs, institutional restructuring and political mobilisation all play a role. Regionalism must now be placed in the context of the international market and the European Union, as well as the nation-state.

    There have been repeated calls for restructuring. This current system being practised in Nigeria has failed the whole country. The whole country is on fire. What is the way out? Regionalism or restructuring is the answer. It has worked for us before, but the only defect is that it promoted ethnic loyalty but on the contrary, regionalism brought development into the country. The three regions were highly competitive and this brought about rapid development.

    The Southwest till today enjoys the legacy regionalism gave the country. The majority of the residents of the region are highly educated which has and is still bringing unprecedented growth. The flairs of the type of regionalism practiced during the First Republic should be worked on and Nigeria should be given an upgraded version.

    This current system of governance in practice only makes politicians lazy. Most of the states are in financial trouble because of the failure of successive governments to prepare for the worst. With an improved regional system, the problem of laziness would be curbed to a large extent. It was under regionalism that Nigeria was a pride to Africa. Do not also forget that when Nigeria was practising regionalism, there was no oil yet discovered. Now that we are in a world whereby oil is falling, regionalism is the answer to Nigeria’s wake-up call.

    More so, restructuring is a song also on the lips of many Nigerians. It has trended for decades and seems to be an inter-generational topical issue in Nigeria. The persistent call for restructuring takes numerous dimensions, but particularly outstanding is in the dimension of politics. It is no surprise though, because the philosophy behind the existence of every state and the control of its resources bothers politics. Therefore, when there is a damaged cog in the wheel of the politics of the state, it becomes imperative to politically restructure the state.

    Nigeria as a sovereign state has numerous ethnic-tribal groups as matched with its vast territory, large population and enormous land mass. Each of the locales within the Nigerian territory is endowed with either one mineral, vegetative or other natural resources and/or a correspondence of resident human resources (population). Given this, any knowledgeable administrative analyst would suggest the adoption of the federalist political structure, to ensure efficient administration of both the vast territories of Nigeria and its ethno-tribal heterogeneous population.

    Read Also: 1999 Constitution, restructuring and true federalism

    •Onibon, a commentator, wrote from Abeokuta Ogun State.

    This is what has been administratively put in place as a political mechanism for governance within the Nigerian polity. The current Nigerian political structure which has its roots in the 1946 Sir Arthur Richard’s constitution of Nigeria, right from its inception till now has shown symptoms of the administratively sick system of government resulting from such issues as resource control, the outcry of marginalisation, ethno-tribal and regional discrimination, and issue of ensuring that every citizen, irrespective of age, sex, religion, ethnic, linguistic, regional or tribal affiliation is given a sense of belonging.

    Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy and the most populous black nation on earth. Yet, regional economic inequality and the lopsidedness of Nigeria’s political system have led to a series of protracted conflicts. The country is currently embroiled in crises similar to the tumultuous time after independence in 1960 when regional and ethnic tensions erupted in a vicious power struggle.

    Back then, following a coup against the northern-led government in January 1966, thousands of Igbos living in the northern region were forced to flee to their homeland following the outbreak of ethnic clashes. In 1967, Odumegwu Ojukwu, an Igbo military officer, proclaimed the independence of the Republic of Biafra, leading to Nigeria’s first bloody civil war, which ended in 1970. Over forty years later, desires for a breakaway still linger. Both the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) aims to restore the state of Biafra and challenge Nigeria’s current political structure

    Despite being a federal republic, Nigeria has a unitary constitutional arrangement in which the Federal Government wields overarching powers. Like the United States of America, Nigeria is structured as a federation with 36 states, one federal territory, and 774 local government areas, including Abuja. However, unlike the United States, the central government controls the revenues and nearly all of the country’s resources, especially oil and natural gas. Revenues accrue in the Federation Account, where it is allocated monthly to the states and local governments by a federal executive body, the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

    The political structure has not always been this way. Before the creation of the present-day state of affairs in 1967, Nigeria had four regions under the 1963 constitution, namely Northern Nigeria, Eastern Nigeria, Western Nigeria and Mid-Western Nigeria. Without the Federal Government allocation or revenue from oil, export crops were central to shaping the economy of the four regions, and served as the country’s main source of foreign currency. Political federalism reduced the power of the central government.

    Thus, national debate and calls for restructuring are nothing new, but they continue to grow amid economic stress, political uncertainty and recurrent violent conflicts across the country. Especially, ahead of the February 2023 elections, the push for restructuring of Nigeria’s political system is gaining momentum. Groups from the south, which have long championed the call for restructuring in defence of regional economic development, are particularly vocal in their demands for upending the current centralisation of political power.

    All Nigerians and our leaders should stop playing the ostrich on the issue of restructuring Nigeria’s political structure. A joint effort towards restructuring Nigerian federalism will make Nigeria a better country where needless tensions and conflicts are minimal and where the sub-national governments are not reduced to mere appendages. So, urgent steps need to be taken to change the status quo to one that will work despite the multifarious ethno-regional nationalities in the country.

    ·         Orunbon writes in from Federal Housing Estate, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State

  • ‘Why I want to serve my people’

    ‘Why I want to serve my people’

    • Allegations against me baseless

    As the race for Igwe of Uli in Anambra State intensifies, a front runner, Ichie Nnanyelugo Igbonwelundu  has  assured his supporters his desire to ascend the throne was borne out of service and the love for his people.

    Igbonwelundu spoke at a meeting with his group in Lagos where he emphasised the need to ensure due process, a statement  by  Mrs Precious King, head of Media and Information, said..

    He dismissed  allegations he borrowed money from defunct Uli Microfinance Bank (UMB) using his home as collateral but did not repay the loan nor relinquish the house to the bank.

    Igbonwelundu, who was foundation chairman of Uli Community Bank (UCB), said at no time in his 17 years as chairman did he collect loan nor request the bank to give same to any relations and friends.

    He said as chairman, he was not responsible for the day-to-day operations, adding the only time under his watch the board discovered the management had given out loan without following policy, the manager was sacked.

    As an accomplished banker, Igbonwelundu, noted he stepped down as chairman in 2008 after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that year, adding the accounts, minutes of the meetings, Annual Returns and other decisions taken were well documented, audited and ratified by the board.

    He said the bank posted a profit after tax of over N11 million six years after he stepped down as  chairman, which showed the bank was doing well financially during and after his tenure.

    Read Also: Onyema: Nigeria’s sporting heroes deserve honours

    Educating the gathering of the risks associated with banking, he maintained certain decisions by some key  external actors and regulatory bodies impacted on the bank’s financial health, by sending the wrong signals to its depositors and creditors leading to panic withdrawals.

    On allegation he was one of those who denied Uli the opportunity of being part of Mbaisato Local Government, Ichie described it as a figment of the imagination of originators of such rumours.

    He reminded the gathering that local government creation was a constitutional matter and an exclusive preserve of the Federal Government, narrating how he and some other persons (some of them alive and can attest to this fact) made efforts to get the government’s greenlight for creation of the council but same was granted to Ekwusigo, Ozubulu.

    Narrating the roles he had played in the progress of the town, he recalled his participation began in 1986 and he has not stopped supporting development, unity and peace of Uli.

    Giving background on processes of electing an Igwe, Ichie told said the town’s constitution provides a four-tier democratic approach.

    He said the constitution states that the eldest man in the four villages that make up Uli: Umuaku, Umuoma, Eziama and  Ihite; the Oluohas, Council of Chiefs in consultation with the Uli Progressive Union (General Assembly) will vote for the candidates of their choice.

    Ichie assured his supporters they were supporting the best man for the job, giving his records, integrity,  selflessness and commitment to truth, fairness and justice.

  • Tinubu urged to include youths in governance

    Tinubu urged to include youths in governance

    A non-governmental, the amalgamated Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria, has called for the inclusion of the youth in governance.The group noted that the time of recycling politicians, failed or disgruntled, was over.

    It noted that the nation has many young technocrats and bureaucrats with energy who want to contribute to national development.

     It urged Tinubu to look beyond former governors and ministers and people that had brought Nigeria economic woes.

    Read Also: Tinubu: we have means to fund terror war

    In a statement yesterday by its National President, Gbenga Abiodun and General Secretary, Yakubu Abdullahi, the group noted that the continued usage of “old hands will not augur well for the country, knowing full well that most of them are facing graft issues and corruption allegations over their necks.”

    It asked Tinubu to employ viable, virile, professional and youths who occupy the various offices and engage them, instead of using worn-out, fatigued and corrupt leaders that have brought the country to its knees.

    “Age was not on their side as they no longer have what it takes to preside over 21st Century organisations, as they are fatigued and too old to take modern decisions capable of bringing the desired change,” the statement said.

    The amalgamated CSOs said

  • IOM calls for short films submission

    IOM calls for short films submission

    To eradicate Human Trafficking in Nigeria, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria has called on filmmakers and film enthusiasts to submit their short films on ‘Combating Trafficking in Persons’.

     According to IOM, the list of selected winners in both categories (popular vote and official competition) will be announced on July 30 which is the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

     Winners of the contest will receive the cash prizes and get special recognition.

     Part of the statement reads: “Film is a universal medium to illustrate untold stories that can inspire and educate, foster dialogue, create empathy among the public, and guide people to take action on complex and multi-layered phenomena such as trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

     “Many factors increase vulnerability to these criminal activities, including conflict, displacement and environmental disaster. Thus, education and awareness-raising of the public have the most important role in combating the practice.”

  • Agency partners firm on low interest loans

    Agency partners firm on low interest loans

    Chief Executive Officer of Abuja Enterprise Agency, Shehu Abdulkadir, has said the agency is partnering financial institutions to provide low interest facilities to Small and Medium Enterprises.

    Abdulkadir spoke at the Fourth Abuja Business Plan Competition in Abuja, noting the agency will nurture, support and encourage enterprise.

    “We recognise that bureaucracy and excessive regulations stifle growth. We have keyed into FCT’s drive to strengthen coordination among SME support and regulatory organisations”.

    Read Also: Students’ loan scheme: What next?

    He announced a partnership with Corporate Affairs Commission to provide  50 per cent discount for registration of 2000 businesses.

    Abdulkadir said N2 million will be given to winner of the competition, N1 million for second price, and N750,000 for third price.

    Special Adviser to the President on SMEs, John Uwazurobi said the economy needs to grow at double digit to keep the population.

  • Oduwole is Harvard’s senior fellow

    Oduwole is Harvard’s senior fellow

    Former Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has been appointed as a Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in the United States.

    In a letter conveying the appointment, Richard Zeckhauser, Frank Plumpton Ramsey Professor of Political Economy, said Oduwole would be affiliated with the Mossavar-Rahmani Centre for Business and Government from July 1, this year to June 30, next year.

    Zechauser noted that Oduwole was subjected to “a rigorous screening from a large and strong pool of globally acclaimed high achievers. Only a few individuals are invited to be Senior Fellows each year.” 

     He noted: “We believe that you will make a valuable contribution to the Center, to Harvard Kennedy School, to Harvard more generally, and to effective public policy.”

    Oduwole went on sabbatical leave from the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, to serve in the Buhari Administration from November 2015 to May, this year, first as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, and then as Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business.

    She also served as the pioneer Secretary to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    Read Also: Don wins Harvard, EU, UN award

    Under her watch, Nigeria moved up an unprecedented 39 places in the World Bank’s Doing Business rankings and was twice recognised as a top ten economy in three years for impactful reforms that created a more conducive environment for micro, small and medium sized enterprises to thrive. She and her team took the intervention from ideation stage in 2016 and grew it to a national program spanning all arms and levels of government.

    From 2013 to 2015, Oduwole was holder of the Prince Claus Chair in development and equity at the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands. She is a 2013 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow, African Leadership Institute, South Africa, an inaugural member of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s Amujae initiative (2020), and was in 2022 selected as member of the 6th cohort of Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA), part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

    In 2022, Oduwole was appointed Governance Advisor to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Governance Lab, another leading academic institution, for her innovative strides in governance, and has been the recipient of a number of awards, including a national honour, Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). She sits on the Boards of Trustees of the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS), South Africa and GIG Logistics, a subsidiary of the GIG Group; and previously served on the Board of Ecobank Nigeria. She started her career working in investment and corporate banking in Nigeria from 2000 to 2004 at FCMB Capital Markets and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

    Oduwole holds an LL.B from University of Lagos, and is called to the Nigeria Bar. She has an LL.M from Cambridge University UK; and a JSM as well as a JSD, both from Stanford Law School, USA.

    During her time at Harvard Kennedy School she will interrogate the role of businesses in strengthening government reforms.

  • Firm promotes ‘Eat for good’ campaign

    Firm promotes ‘Eat for good’ campaign

    Knorr, a seasoning brand, has unveiled an exciting giveaway called Knorr Good Jollof Box.

    The brand opened the floor for consumers to win a Good Jollof Box through its Instagram page. Winners of the package got delivery of the Jollof Box to their doorsteps.

    A winner, simply named Thelma, said: “The recipes were amazing. Knorr introduced me to the joys of cooking. My seasoning rack and pantry have become a treasure trove of yummy possibilities my family and I have been enjoying. With Knorr’s recipes, my meals have been delicious and healthy. I am glad Knorr gave me a Good Jollof Box.”

    In 2021, the brand launched its ‘Eat For Good’ campaign to inspire consumers to eat better. This inspired the brand to create healthier food recipes using its products, which culminated in the Knorr Good Jollof Box.

    Read Also: IMF expresses concern over high food, fertiliser prices

    Bolanle Kehinde-Lawal, Marketing director of Nutrition at Unilever West Africa, said: “At Knorr, we believe you can change the world by changing what is on your plate, making our best dishes better, and incorporating healthier options into meals using Knorr, which is made of natural herbs and spices.

    ‘’We inspire consumers to Eat for Good by offering recipes that incorporate locally sourced vegetables and are easy to make at home and enjoy with your favourite meals” said .

    With Knorr Good Jollof Box, the brand cements its position at the vanguard of sustainable dining while delivering the perfect blend of sumptuous cuisine and wholesome living.

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    Pension complaints and solutions

    ANONYMOUS: My name is Melville. I retired from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in February 2022.

      My PFA is Access (formerly First Guarantee). My PFA said my name was omitted and they had sent a reminder to PenCom. Kindly expedite payment.

    PENCOM: Payment has been made. Please, visit your Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) for confirmation.

    TASIU: Good day, I am ComradeTasiu. I write on behalf of Osowale. His PFA is Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited.

    He was registered in October 2021 and given a retirement benefit enrolment slip.

    He retired on August 13, 2021 at the Air Force Comprehensive School, Ibadan, a unit of the Ministry of Defence.

    PENCOM: Payment has been made, Please visit your Pension Fund Administrator for confirmation.

    CHUKWUEMEKA: Good day, my name is Chukwuemeka. I have been following up with my late wife’s gratuity since 2019. She passed on on March 25, 2019. I have submitted the documents required.

    PENCOM: Dear Sir, kindly provide more details such as the Pension Fund Administrator and PIN of your late wife, her former employer and any other information that will assist the Commission respond to your complaint adequately.

    ANONYMOUS: Thanks a lot for reposting my request for the intervention of PenCom on the payment of pension enhancement by the PFAs.

    Since my retirement in 2014, I received enhancement only once ( 2017) and this has not been addressed by PenCom. I have been excluded for the second time, which means I won’t enjoy any enhancement until 2026, a period of nine years. This is unacceptable to me.

    I retired as a Director of Finance, so I have knowledge of investment. I believe PenCom should pay more attention for the reason that most pensioners depend mostly on the monthly payments. Therefore, we expect enhancement on monthly payments.

    PENCOM: Dear Sir, kindly visit your pension Fund Administrator for more information on the status of your pension enhancement.

    DAMILOLA: Good day, my name is Damilola. I lost my dad in July 2021 but we started processing his death benefit in January 2022. We submitted the required documents, including the Letter of Administration to PAL Pension in September 2022.

    Each time I requested to know what was going on with the processing, they kept saying they were on it. This has been going on for the past four months. How long does it take for them to investigate documents?

     I have sent emails and SMS to company and the official-in-charge but they keep saying they are on it. They said it would take about six months to clear the documents. I don’t know what else to do.

    My mum is ill and the family is financially down. My siblings need to go back to school. I am really depressed. Kindly help me.

    PENCOM: Good day, Madam. Kindly provide the PIN number of the deceased to enable the Commission investigate the complaint.

    HAMADU: Greetings to the Director-General of PenCom. My name is Hamadu. I retired from the Independent National Electroral Commission (INEC), Abuja as Deputy Director on Grade Level 16/9 in November 2017.

    My pension administrator is Stanbic IBTC. My complaint is on the non-payment of 2.5 per cent and arrears.

    PENCOM: Please provide your PIN to enable the Commission investigate further.

    ADOGA: Dear Omobola, my name is Adoga from Makurdi, Benue State. I retired from the Nigerian Railway Cooperation in February 2015. My PFA is Premium Pension. In 2016, I joined Leadway Pensure for Annuity. Up till now, my 2.5% is yet to be paid. When l visited premium office in Makurdi, I was asked to apply for the payment which I did since July 2022. Please I want you to help me.

    PENCOM: Payment has been made into your Retirement Savings Account. Please contact your Pension Fund Administrator

    ANONYMOUS: I am a police officer. I have a problem with my pension. It has not been paid into my pension account since 2017. I have been on this for the past three years. But my efforts have prove abortive. Please help me.

    PENCOM: Kindly provide your name and PIN.

    ABUBAKAR: Hello, my name is Abubakar. I am a next-of-kin. Does the president’s approval of outstanding pension include 2014 retirees.

    My father died in 2013. Will his death benefit be paid? And how long does it take to get it? Thank you.

    PENCOM: Please note that for your late father’s death benefits to be paid, you must submit to the Fund Administrator (PFA) and the commission for processing the following: his RSA PIN, full name, name of PFA, among others. Thank you.

    ANONYMOUS: I am Inspector Isah (retd). I retired on January 15, 2020 at the Niger State Police Command at 60 years. But I was paid only 25 per cent lump sum of N1,665,000 on February 2021 out of my total amount of N5.1million.

    I was also put on monthly pension of N31,758 from March 2021 to date. My complaint is that I deserve to be paid at least 50 per cent of my entitlement. I am really aggrieved.

    PENCOM: You are entitled to 25 per cent lumpsum.

  • ‘New techs threaten broadcast content’

    ‘New techs threaten broadcast content’

    The gap between broadcast content being created by tech savvy youthful population and the existing ones may erode followership in the industry, if urgent action is not taken, a Content Strategist said yesterday.

    Speaking in Lagos at a forum organised by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to express its readiness to host this year’s edition of its biennial International Conference of African Broadcasters (AFRICAST 2023), the Content Strategist and founder, Nigeria International Film and Television Summit (NIFS), Ijeoma Onah, said: “My worry is that there is a wide gulf between the contents now and what the new generation are looking out for. They are creating their own platforms and appear to be leaving us behind. If we don’t create a balance Nigeria, the broadcast sector will lose a sizeable chunk of followership. The sector should focus more on content and not just infrastructure. While infrastructure is the vehicle, content is the fuel. Without fuel, no matter how posh the vehicle is, it can never move. That narrative is what we will push with Africast 2023.”

    Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, assured that this  edition of the event would be hosted in Lagos, considering that it is the hub of broadcasting activities in Nigeria.

    Ilelah said Lagos provides a robust atmosphere to discuss and pursue international best practices in the broadcasting profession.

    Africast will hold October 24 to 26, 2023 with the theme: ‘Broadcast Content: Synergy, Finance and Market’ 

    The event promises to unveil the unparalleled opportunities in technology for the best broadcast profession across Africa.

    “Africast 2023 will showcase modern technologies, thought-provoking discussions, and networking opportunities to foster collaboration and drive innovation across various sectors” Ilelah said.

    The event will feature a diverse range of sessions, exhibitions, and interactive experiences to cater to the interests and needs of attendees.

    The conference will provide a platform for analysis and review of Africa’s broadcast perspective in relation to international best practices and standards.

    Read Also: Interswitch boss globally recognised among 2023 top Fintech CEOs

    Array of notable speakers, industry experts, and renowned figures have been positioned to share their expertise, experiences, and insights during the convention.

    In the interest of having a revitalised Africast, NBC has attracted two partners, Broadcast Media Africa, BMA and Nigerian International Film & Tv Summit, NiFS.

    BMA’s role is to project Africa’s broadcast and media industry to the world and bring the world to our industry.

    While that of NiFS, is to provide a link between broadcasters and top class content creators and push narratives towards how to create relevant contents that will bridge the gap between what the old generations want to watch and what the new generation are tilting towards.

    The essence is to create the right balance and ensure the broadcast media serve the old and new generations a common bouquet.

    Benjamin Pius of BMA said: “We have been providing platforms for organisations abroad to host robust discussions and better their economies. This is the time to bring it home. Time is long overdue to position the broadcast sector towards international best practices and we are ready to do our bit”.

    Meanwhile key themes that will feature during the 3-day of event include Broadcasting Technologies and Innovation: Showcasing the latest advancements in broadcasting technologies; ‘All-About-Content: Exploring the evolving landscape of content production, distribution and monetization; Film Showcase and Screenings: Promoting and showcasing the talents of African filmmakers; Connectivity and Infrastructure: Exploring the advancements in broadband and satellite communications to deliver digital content to African households; Multichannel Distribution and OTT Platforms: Examining the rise of streaming platforms, technology and services; Advertising and Content Monetisation: Innovative models and effective monetisation strategies for broadcasters and content creators.

    Others are Media Ethics and Regulatory Landscape: Addressing issues with media ethics, content regulation; Africast 2023 will feature distinguished speakers, industry experts, and renowned figures sharing their expertise, experiences, and insights during the convention; In addition to the informative sessions, attendees will have ample opportunities to connect, network, and engage with professionals and industry leaders across Africa and beyond

    “We are excited to present Africast 2023, an exceptional gathering that celebrates the growth, creativity, and innovation in the Nigerian and African broadcasting and media industry.

     “This convention is a must-attend for anyone passionate about shaping the future of broadcasting and media in Nigeria , Africa  and the world as we explore cutting-edge technologies, trends and strategies that will drive the broadcast media industry in Africa forward,” Ilelah said.