The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)

  • Buhari to broadcast on Tuesday 

    President Muhammadu Buhari will make a national broadcast on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 7a.m as part of activities to commemorate the 2018 Democracy Day celebrations.

    This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina.

    Read Also:2019: NBC warns broadcasting stations over political campaigns, hate speeches

    “Television and radio stations are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast,” he said.

  • Digitization: Gov Ugwuanyi offers free 10,000 setup boxes

    Digitization: Gov Ugwuanyi offers free 10,000 setup boxes

    Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has offered to distribute 10,000 setup boxes valued N15 million free to low income households in rural areas to enable them access digital television.

    Ugwuanyi made the disclosure in Enugu on Monday at the launch of Digital Switchover in the state by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    The governor described the launch as a ‘landmark’ in television broadcasting in Nigeria.

    He said that the gesture was to ensure that low income households were not denied opportunities of accessing digital television contents.

    Ugwuanyi said that the setup boxes which were the major accessory that would, henceforth, enable television viewers in the state watch more channels would be distributed immediately.

    The governor said that the state government was fully conscious of the possible discomfort economically challenged families would face as a result of disruption in accessing free to air television contents.

    “This, in our judgment, is the major reason the Federal Government has committed to subsidise 10 million setup boxes for distribution to poor households in Nigeria,” he said.

    Ugwuanyi said that Enugu had the distinction of being the first state in Southern Nigeria to be switched on to the digital terrestrial television broadcast.

    “As a government, we have intervened on behalf of our people by purchasing 10,000 setup boxes which will be distributed free to low income households identified in our rural areas.

    “Our goal is to enable less economically endowed families to continue to receive even more television channels after this ceremony.

    “The boxes will be distributed after this ceremony in such a manner that it will reach all the 475 autonomous communities in the state,” he said.

    The governor said that local government councils would also cease the opportunity offered by the process to increase the internally generated revenue.

    Ugwuanyi thanked the Information Minister for donating 100 setup boxes to the state government, adding that the boxes would in turn be distributed to security agencies in the state.

    He said that it was gratifying to bid farewell to analogue broadcasting in the state.

    “This underscores the pragmatism the government and leadership of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ) have brought to bear in broadcasting industry,” Ugwuanyi said.

    Earlier, the Director General of the NBC, Mr Is’haq Kawu said that the digital switchover would enhance the broadcast value chain and open up jobs for Nigerians.

    Kawu said that the switchover would afford television viewers watch new generation of Nigerian contents.

    The DG said that it would also address poor reception of television signals especially in rural areas.

    The highlight of the event was the official switchover from analogue to digital television broadcasting at the Nigerian Television Authority ( NTA ) in Enugu by Ugwuanyi in company of the minister and NBC DG.

    Nigeria as a member of International Telecommunication Union ( ITU ) had in 2006 signed the agreement for member states to switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting.

    NAN

  • Why Executive can’t spend recovered loots – AGF

    Why Executive can’t spend recovered loots – AGF

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General if the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) has blamed the Legislature for the inability of the Executive to put to use funds recovered from looters.

    The Minister also said the responsibility of ensuring that suspected looters were denied bail by the courts lies with the Legislature, who must amend existing laws to that effect.

    Malami said these while responding to questions at an event tagged: “The Federal Government (FG) – Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) parley on policy synergy to ensure development,” held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State yesterday. The event, aired live on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was monitored in Abuja yesterday.

    On why the Federal Government was yet to put to use funds recovered from looters, Malami said: “Expenditure is a constitutional function of appropriation. And that, exclusively, is the responsibility of the National Assembly upon the preparation and presentation by the Executive.

    “It is not something that the Executive can simply deep its hands into the recovered funds without the supporting legislation by way of appropriation,” Malami said.

    On why those accused of corruption, and briefly detained in prison, were now walking freely, Malami said it was the duty of the Judiciary, acting on the dictate of existing laws, to decide whether or not a detained suspect should be granted bail.

    “As regard the issue that some people allegedly charged to court are moving freely over the place, I think I have to make it clear that issues about the freedom and liberty of an accused or suspect, is a chain that involves the Executive, the Legislature and indeed, the Judiciary.

    “But, the ultimate, as regard the grant of bail and the freedom of an accused or suspect lies exclusively with the Judiciary, which has the responsibility of exercising the discretion to grant or refuse bail in any given circumstances.

    “But, above all, the responsibility of ensuring that no corrupt suspect or accused enjoys freedom is exclusively the responsibility of the Legislature, which has the responsibility of changing our laws to ensure that those who are charged with corruption and associated vices are not granted bail,” Malami said.

  • NTA director advises movie producers on good scripts

    NTA director advises movie producers on good scripts

    Mr Wole Coker, Executive Director Programmes of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has advised movie producers to insist on good scripting for their movies to enjoy better patronage.

    Coker gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Abuja Guest Writer’s forum in Abuja.

    According to him, a good script should have a beginning, middle and an end, adding that a good script makes good movies and not actors.

    “Script is a major backbone for any production, television production cannot be successful without a tangible and sensible scripting.

    “You should make sure your scripts are good and tight. Do not monopolise your script, give it to someone else to review it for you. This is because you may derail when you get attached to your script.

    “When you finish production, give it to an editor that is not there when you were writing the script to edit for you; that way he or she can be dispassionate about cutting away those parts that appears padded.

    “It is always good to get a second opinion about a script,” Coker stressed.

    He added that accomplishing good screen play always required a good story line diligently put together by a combination of good heads to meet the taste of the audience.

    Coker stressed that personal taste of a movie producer or preference may not always be shared by the target audience.

    He pointed out that the right words or improper use of words had the capacity to make or mar a script on which a movie was produced.

    He said that the omission of a crucial word or few words in a script could also change the outlook of a movie.

  • Angry youths attack NTA team at Adeleke’s residence

    Angry youths attack NTA team at Adeleke’s residence

    Angry youths at the residence of the  late Sen. Isiaka Adeleke in Ede  on Sunday attacked Mr Tope Alabi, a  correspondent of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in  Osogbo.

    Adeleke  died in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Osogbo after succumbing to a protracted ailment.

    The late politician popularly called “ Serubawon’’ was aged 62.

    The  NTA reporter, who was  at the residence of the late politician with his cameraman, was attacked by the youths for recording  the  faces of   sympathisers.

    The youths,  who alleged that  the  late senator was poisoned, opposed  video coverage of the event.

    Alabi was assaulted  on the  head  and had to be taken to  Osogbo for treatment while his cameraman escaped to a nearby bush.

    Security  had, however,  been beefed up at the  residence  as family members  and friends awaited  the  burial of the late politician.

    An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed very close to Adeleke’s house  while a  police  vehicle was sighted  patrolling the town.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent at  the  residence reports that the corpse of the late senator  was brought to his residence in Ede  at about 1:10pm  from Biket hospital in Osogbo.

    It  was, however,   later taken  to Ladoke Akintola Teaching hospital in Osogbo for autopsy as   family members  insisted on ascertaining the cause of death.

    As  at the time of filing this report, no family member  was willing to speak with  newsmen.

    Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives  Congress (APC) in Osun,  Mr Kunle Oyatomi, has expressed shock over Adeleke’s death.

    Oyatomi , in a telephone interview with NAN   on Sunday in Osogbo, said the late senator would be greatly missed.

    He described Adeleke as one of the best governors  the state ever had, adding that  he was greatly loved by all.

  • Buhari approves executive management for NTA, FRCN, others

    Buhari approves executive management for NTA, FRCN, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved appointments into the executive management of some government agencies and parastatals.

    This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina.

    According to the statement, the new chairman of the board of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) is former newspaper editor and ex-presidential spokesman, Chief Duro Onabule.

    Other executive directors of NTA include: Dr Steve Egbo, Administration and Training; Abdul Hamid Salihu Dembos, Marketing; Mohammed Labbo, News; Fatima M. Barda, Finance; Stephen Okoanachi, Engineering; and Wole Coker, Programmes.

    At the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Aliyu Hayatu is new chairman, while Buhari Auwalu and Yinka Amosun, are Zonal Directors, Kaduna and Lagos, respectively.

    Under the Ministry of Information and Culture, the following agencies have new appointees: Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr Chika Maduekwe, General Manager; National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria, Comrade Tar Ukoh, Artistic Director; National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General; National Film and Video Censors Board, Folorunsho Coker, Director-General.

    At the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is chairman, while the new Director-General is Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja.

    Other members of the NEMA Board are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. David Babachir Lawal; Captain Talba Alkali, representing Ministry of Transport and Aviation; Amb. Rabiu Dagari, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr Ngozi Azadoh, Ministry of Health; Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, Ministry of Interior; Engr. Ajisegiri Benson Akinloye; Ministry of Water Resources, AVM Emmanuel Anebi; Nigerian Armed Forces; and AIG Salisu Fagge Abdullahi, Nigerian Police Force.

     

  • CBN, SEC, others fingered in N450bn un-remitted operating surpluses

    CBN, SEC, others fingered in N450bn un-remitted operating surpluses

    The Federal Ministry of Finance said it constituted a committee to recover unremitted operating surpluses of agencies of government, running into N450billion.

    The committee led by the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, was mandated to reconcile the operating surpluses of 31 revenue-generating agencies of government for the period 2010-2015.

    A statement from ministry of finance signed by Festus Akanbi, Special Assistant, media to the finance minister said “the findings of the committee so far, have shown under-remittance of over N450 billion, which has accrued within the period.”

    The Finance Ministry stated that staff of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation have critically reviewed the accounting statements of these agencies, which include the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Petroleum Technology Development Fund, (PTDF), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), among others.

    The Committee will therefore be inviting the management of these agencies to explain why their operating surpluses have not been remitted as mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

    Some of these agencies the ministry said “have incurred huge expenses on overseas training and medicals, and huge expenses on behalf of supervisory ministries and/other organs of government involved in oversight or regulatory functions without appropriate approval.”

    Other infractions include payment of salaries and allowances to staff and board members, governing councils, and commissions which are outside or above the amount approved by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

    The list also includes unacceptable expenses incurred on donations, sponsorships, etc; unfavourable contract signed for revenue collection by a third party; granting of staff loans that have not been repaid as well as sale and transfer of assets to board members, among others.

    According to the Finance Ministry, the overall effect of these practices is that operating surpluses of these agencies are lower than should be.

    As a result of this, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has directed the Accountant General of the Federation to issue a circular that will limit allowable expenses that can be spent as part of measures to ensure these agencies face strict monitoring.

    This development the statement said is part of the resolve of the Minister to ensure that leakages are tackled.