Broadcasting
How MultiChoice Nigeria Promotes Balance for Better
Last month, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate the annual International Women’s Day. Today, we take a look at the history of this celebration, the gains and how MultiChoice Nigeria promotes gender equality in its workspace.
How the International Women’s Day Started
International Women’s Day is a worldwide event dedicated to the celebration of women’s achievements- from business, politics to social endeavours- while at the same time reminding the world that more still needs to be done for gender equality.
Its roots can be traced to the 20th-century march by over 15,000 women through New York City demanding voting rights, better pay, and shorter working hours. In 1910, Clara Zetkin suggested the idea of an international women day during an International Conference for Working Women in Copenhagen. The idea was unanimously accepted by the over 100 women who attended the conference from 17 countries.
This day has been observed since the 1900s but was made official in 1975 when the United Nations (UN) started celebrating the day with an annual theme. The theme ‘Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future’ was the first annual theme and was used in 1996. The theme for 2019 is BalanceForBetter.
Why the Day is Still Being Celebrated after a Hundred Years
The world as it is today has not deviated much from the past hundred years. Certainly, there has been some progress in achieving gender equality, but the original aim of the day- to achieve full gender equality for women across the globe in all human endeavours- has not been accomplished. The issue of gender pay gap is still commonplace, especially in organisations that are seen as progressive by society. Some years back, the spotlight was on the BBC’s wide pay gap between men and women doing the same job for the corporation.
In politics, women may have succeeded in leading big democracies like Germany and Britain, but there still aren’t equal numbers of women in politics and business. After a hundred years of the march in New York City, global figures show that violence against women, women’s health and education are still worse compared to men.
Statistics from the World Economic Forum show that, based on current realities, it will take 168 years to bridge the gender gap. But the process is on to close that gap as many women across the globe are overcoming the barriers to their dreams.
The Importance of this Year’s Theme
This year’s theme, BalanceForBetter, is in recognition of the growing global movement for professional and social equality. Also described as a ‘business issue’ the theme is at once a call for and an encouragement of gender balance in boardrooms, in the media and in wealth for the promotion of growth of the global economy. It echoes the aims of MultiChoice Nigeria’s equal opportunity workplace.
How MultiChoice Nigeria Promotes BalanceForBetter
On this occasion of the International Women’s Day, it is important that we remember and celebrate the wonderful and intelligent and highly resourceful women at MultiChoice Nigeria who have contributed immensely to the growth of this enterprise. At MultiChoice Nigeria, we are proud to say we have women who have shattered the business glass ceiling throughout their careers, and they continue to be the backbones of our enterprise and an inspiration to us all. Let’s unveil some of our gems:
Wangi Mba-Uzokwu, who is the Channel Director, Africa Magic, has been instrumental to the growth of MultiChoice Nigeria. With 24 years’ experience under her belt, spanning renowned institutions such as Coca-Cola, Airtel Nigeria and British American Tobacco, Wangi has shown that she is the kind of professional everyone would want in their team. As Regional Manager of Africa Magic, she superintended the growth of content and actualization of initiatives such as Africa Magic GO, the Africa Magic Video on Demand service, Africa Magic Igbo channel and the Africa Magic Original Films project.
As Channel Director of Africa Magic, she has ensured a more robust and exciting range of content for customers that satisfy a variety of entertainment interest.
Wangi
Hasiya Abdu Currently the Executive Head, Customer Experience and Care, Hasiya has been in the corporate world for 13 years. She began her career in financial services as a Banker, traversing various roles in Marketing as well as Banking operations. She made a career change when she joined MultiChoice Nigeria, as Head of Operations where she spearheaded the successful migration of Key Customer Management Systems. She also holds a Master’s in Development Studies and has attended leadership courses the Senior Management Program from London Business School and Lagos Business school.
Hasiya has been and still is, at the forefront of driving the customer-centric experience in MultiChoice Nigeria. She’s instrumental in managing diverse projects and platforms that are crucial to customer satisfaction, which includes; the digital platforms as well as the national contact centre that gives our customers access to our services.
Hasiya
Busola Tejumola (PhD) Busola is the Executive Head, Content MultiChoice Nigeria. She has experience in diverse business fields from technical support, service delivery, business development, insights, strategy, content and production. Before joining MultiChoice Nigeria, she was Head of Technical Support and Chief Relationship and Business Development at MWeb and iWay Africa respectively.
In 2014, Busola had the responsibility of utilizing business insights to chart Multichoice Nigeria’s strategy as Head of Strategy and Insights after which she became the GM Content and was instrumental to the rebirth of Big Brother Naija.
She has provided MultiChoice Nigeria with detailed strategies and insights, building high performing teams with successful outcomes.
Busola
Kholeka Maringa Kholeka is the Executive Head, DStv Media Sales. She was the General Manager, DStv Media Sales and has also worked as Deputy GM Africa for DStv Media Sales where she displayed great skill in forging strategic partnerships for big-ticket events like AMVCA’s.
Kholeka
Caroline Oghuma Caroline is the Executive Head, Corporate Affairs. For over a decade and a half, she has been instrumental in shaping the reputation of organisations. Prior to joining Multichoice, she had worked at MTN and Stanbic IBTC. She joined MultiChoice in 2014 and has proven to be a ‘people person’ always.
Caroline
Seun Ikekhua Seun is the Head, Customer Value Management. She started her career in MultiChoice Nigeria as a call centre representative and has grown through the ranks. She has built a reputation for innovation over the years which led her on a skills transfer course as she trained MultiChoice Malawi Retention team.
Seun
Yemisi Bamgbose, executive secretary of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), has faulted the decision of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to review DStv and GOtv subscriptions.
In a statement on Monday, Bamgbose said the commission had remained silent following the increase in prices of goods and services by big firms and companies — but intends to review prices of the pay-tv.
“I would have given FCCPC a thumb up if they had been intervening on price matters, most especially those that have direct bearing on the livelihood of the masses,” Bamgbose said.
“If the mandate of FCCPC includes price control of goods and services in a free and deregulated economy, where was the organisation when Bakers Association in the country increased the cost of a loaf of bread more than 200% in the last one year.
“I doubt if FCCPC was aware that a sachet of pure water has been increased from five naira to twenty naira the last one year. Is the organisation on vacation?
“Perhaps the organisation is on leave when bottling companies in the country astronomically increased the cost of malt and other soft drinks. I was surprised that FCCPC didn’t call stakeholders meeting to review the new prices.
“Perhaps the cost of a bag of cement has not been increased from four thousand Naira in the last one year. That must be the reason why FCCPC did not deem it fit to invite Dangote, Bua and Lafarge cement manufacturers with relevant stakeholders to discuss the more than 100% increase on a bag of cement.
“Aviation sector, on a daily basis, increases the cost of domestic flights. This also has not attracted the attention of FCCPC.
“In the education sector, I was wondering why FCCPC could not call for the review of the cost being charged by private educational institutions especially those charging in dollars in a country where Naira is the legal tender.”
According to Bamgbose, if other services are allowed to increase their prices, MultiChoice should also have the freedom to determine the price of its products to maintain high-quality service.
She added that the choice of whether or not to subscribe to the service should be up to the consumer.
The secretary said subscription television is not an essential commodity and those who cannot afford the services of MultiChoice or any pay TV can decide not to subscribe.
“Anyway, on the part of broadcasting, I want to assume that FCCPC does not know what goes into the business of broadcasting, perhaps, that could inform the decision of the agency to plan the proposed review of the increase in the price of DSTV and GOTv pay TV channels respectively,” she said.
“There are free to air stations such as NTA, RADIO NIGERIA, AIT, SILVERBIRD CHANNELS, STATE OWNED RADIO AND TV STATIONS, PRIVATE RADIO STATIONS etc where consumers don’t pay to listen to radio or watch television.
“There are subscription channels such as MULTICHOICE, GOtv, TNtv, STARTIMES etc where viewers pay to watch and listen. There are choices.
“During Covid-19 pandemic, stations burnt diesel without adverts or other sources of revenue for more than twelve months in national interest.
“The cost of diesel rose from two hundred naira per litre in 2021 to one thousand seven hundred per litre in 2023/24, and broadcast stations have to transmit for twenty four hours changing from one generator to the other.
“None of the national stations such as Channels TV, Arise, TVC, AIT, Silverbird, and NTA, amongst others, commits less than one hundred million Naira on diesel on monthly basis to keep their mandate of information, education and entertainment.
“It may interest the public to know that many, if not all, of the national radio and television stations in Nigeria have not been able to break-even since 2020 when the nation’s economy was shut down as a result to Covid-19 pandemic.
“Why? Each network station that transmits 24 hours consumes not less than twelve thousand litres of diesel per week. In Nigeria, we want everything free.
“For MultiChoice to provide coverage to the nooks and cranies of the country, it maintains over three hundred sites powered with diesel generating sets in each of the sites.
“The public should also know that these PAYTV companies purchase all these contents that subscribers watch at the comfort of their homes and offices.
“Those who can not afford the services of MultiChoice and indeed any pay TV can decide not to subscribe, afterwards, there are many free to air television channels and content on satellites OVER THE TABLE (OTT) that can be accessed through free to air decoders and wifi.”
Recall that on April 24, Multichoice Nigeria announced an increase in the cost of subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages.
The pay-tv firm cited the rise in cost of operations as the rationale behind the price increase.
Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja has restrained Multichoice Nigeria, a -TV operator, from implementing the DStv and GOtv subscription prices hike it announced last week
The interim order was sequel to an ex-parte motion filed before the court by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel to the applicant, Festus Onifade.
The three-member panel of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, presided over by Saratu Shafii, issued the order on Monday.
Recall that THE management of Multichoice Nigeria Limited last week announced a fresh hike in the prices of subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages.
The fresh prices hike came barely four months after the previous fee adjustment.
According to an email sent to customers, the new prices on its DSTV and GOtv packages would take effect on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
But Onifade. in a suit marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024, had dragged MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal
Onifade in the suit filed on April 29 sought “An order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant, whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice
“An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
In its ruling, the court restrained MultiChoice from implementing the announced prices increment, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.
The court ruled that “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The court directed all parties in the suit to appear before it on May 7 at 10am for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The three-member tribunal chaired by Saratu Shafii, delivered the ruling on Monday on an ex-parte motion marked CCPT/OP/2/2024 and filed by Festus Onifade through his lawyer, Ejiro Awaritoma.
Onifade had sued Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), accusing the former of unjustly increasing subscription fees.
LG Electronics, a global leader in technology and innovation, is delighted to announce the launch of the highly anticipated K-POP Fiesta contest in Nigeria.
This exciting event offers fans a unique platform to showcase their passion for Korean pop music and dance, while providing an opportunity to engage with fellow enthusiasts from all corners of the country.
The contest will be to four major cities in Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. The K-POP Fiesta contest aims to bring the electric energy and vibrant culture of K-POP to Nigeria, a country known for its love of music and dance.
The K-POP Contest invites talented individuals and groups to contest in various categories, including singing, dancing, and performance. As part of its commitment to fostering cultural exchange and embracing diversity
“We are excited to bring the K-POP Contest to Nigeria and provide a platform for talented individuals to shine,” said Mr. Hyoungsub Ji, Managing Director at LG Electronics West Africa.
“By taking the contest to multiple cities, we aim to reach a diverse range of participants and celebrate the rich cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria. Contestant will have the opportunity to win exciting prizes and recognition for their talent”.
“We are thrilled to bring the K-POP Fiesta contest to Nigeria, a country with a rich musical heritage. This event is a testament to LG’s dedication to providing unique and exciting experiences for our customers. We believe that K-POP has the power to unite people from different backgrounds and create a sense of joy and unity.” Mr. Hyoungsub added
The K-POP Contest tour will kick off in Ibadan on the 2nd and 3rd of May, where fans can experience the electrifying energy of K-POP through dance and singing competitions, and also interactive experiences. From there, the tour will travel to Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, giving aspiring performers in each location the chance to showcase their talent on a grand stage at the finale which will take place in Lagos sometime in June.
The K-POP Fiesta contest will provide participants with a platform to showcase their talent, creativity, and love for K-POP. Participants will have the opportunity to compete in various categories, including singing, dancing, and even creating their own K-POP-inspired music videos. The contest will be judged by a panel of industry experts, ensuring a fair and unbiased evaluation.
Three winners in music and dance will emerge at the regional contest in these four cities with five hundred thousand naira up for grabs while the winner at the grand finale gets two million naira plus other exciting prizes.
In addition to the contest, attendees will also have the opportunity to experience LG’s latest innovations in entertainment technology. From high-quality sound systems to immersive displays, LG continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in entertainment and lifestyle.
LG Electronics is committed to supporting and nurturing talent in Nigeria, and the K-POP Fiesta contest is just one of the many initiatives undertaken by the company to empower individuals and encourage artistic expression. By bringing the K-POP phenomenon to Nigeria, LG aims to create a memorable experience for both participants and fans alike.
To participate in the K-POP Fiesta contest, fans can register online at https://www.lg.com/africa/LG-Kpop-Fiesta or Join the conversation on social media (Instagram) using the hashtag #LGKPOPNigeria.
The contest is open to all K-POP enthusiasts in Nigeria, regardless of age or background.
The event had in attendance Management of LG Electronics, Nigeria Video Jockey & TV Presenter, V.J Adams, Akunna Okechukwu, 2021 Nigerian Idol finalist, among others.
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