Connect with us

Broadcasting

Reps say NTA, Others can Leverage on NigComSat for Digital Broadcasting

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Bubar Jubrin, House Committee chairman, Information & National Orientation, has said that Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Voice of Nigeria (VON)  are in position to leverage the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat) facilities in their ongoing efforts to achieve  digitalization in 2015.

Jubril who expressed satisfaction with the ingenuity of local engineers at the place said it would be regrettable and amount to a colossal waste if all the facility in NigComsat are not utilized by Nigerians, especially government agencies.

As a nation, he said that Nigeria should be proud to do things in her own terms and faith, instead of outsourcing technologies that could be found locally, which encourages capital flight.

“It will be regrettable and monumental waste if all these facilities that are in place are not used. Apart from the social and security implications, as a nation, Nigerians should be proud to do things in their own terms and faith instead of outsourcing these things and encourage capital flight.

‘‘For us, government ministries, departments and agencies like NTA, VON, NBC are in position to utilize what we have been able to acquire here, particularly the digitalization scheme that is now ongoing, which is hoped to be achieved in 2015,’’ he said.

While pledging to partner with the agency, the House Chairman further promised to create a synergy between the agency and other government MDAs to enable Nigeria achieve its digital plan by 2015.

“We are indeed impressed with what we have seen here and we are going to do what is in our capacity to make sure that this agency succeeds. We will partner with this agency and engage other concerned MDAs to see how you can come together and achieve the digital objective target in 2015,’’ he added.

In terms of legislation,  he said that the committee would be able to partner with NigComsat and see what happen in other jurisdictions, so that they will be able to put together a legislation to make the agency more viable.

Earlier in his address, Mr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, managing Director of NigComsat, said the issue of national satellite has strategic importance on the economic growth.

“Our plead is to help us so that relevant institution like NTA can come on board and also for us to be part of analog to digital migration policy.

“If we are part of this national assignment, it is a responsibility that we must deliver adequately. We already have a dead-end that can take 1,000 channels but we have a facility for 100 channels because to add additional channels is just to get more license available.

“The whole idea is to enhance the gross domestic product, GDP of the nation by making services local,  so that Nigeria will not be paying for the new era of broadcasting rather than going outside.

He  explained that the facilities when properly utilized, could offer millions of jobs to unemployed youths.

“If these facilities are utilized, apart from intensifying, justifying the investment of government in the satellite, we can also use these facilities enhance our GDP, create more jobs and wealth for our people and also have control of what actually goes out from the broadcasting industry,’’ he added.

While recommending the Indian style of authorizing digital satellite, Jubril further called for a legislation force that would give force to the implementation.


Kindly share this post

Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Broadcasting

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Published

on

Kindly share this post

MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.

The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.

Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.

Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.

By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.

Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.

“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.

“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”

MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.

Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.

Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.

The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

Published

on

Kindly share this post

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World's Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.

Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.

According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.

He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.

Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.

According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.

He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.

Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.

IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

 The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

 Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.

Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending