Director General of the National Broadcast Commission (NBC), Yomi Bolarinwa, has said that Nigeria is making conscious
Director-General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Yomi Bolarinwa
efforts to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting in synchronization of the country’s broadcasting system with the global trends
He however said that the phenomenon of digital broadcasting was enormous and that the government of Nigeria was aware of fears expressed in public domain of the country’s capacity to meet the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) deadline and the consequences.
International Telecommunications Union has set a June 17, 2015 date, to switch-off of all analogue broadcast signals worldwide but Nigeria plans to achieve hers by January of that year.
Bolarinwa stated the government set up a 14-man Digiteam for the purpose of placating these fears.
“The Digiteam Nigeria is made up of a group of professionals who have not only contributed immensely to the industry, but have years of experience to handle the mandate. This group of eminent Nigerians will drive the process of the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television transmission in Nigeria in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Commission,” said Bolarinwa.
The Digiteam Nigeria has the core responsibility to establish and implement a comprehensive public awareness programme in consultation with stakeholders and the regulator.
Follow-up all processes towards the enactment of all the enabling laws and necessary amendments to existing legislations.
The team is also saddled with other responsibilities like: developing the specifications of the set-up-box (STB) taking into consideration the need, or otherwise, for establishing a minimum specification for an STB.
Carry out all relevant activities related to the success of the transition programme amongst other very important mandates.
The team which has Edward Amana, as chairman also includes seasoned telecom Engineer, Dr. Bashir Gwandu and media entrepreneur Ben Murray-Bruce.
Its primary mandate is to drive the process of transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television transmission in Nigeria by January 15, 2015.
Source: Communications Week
