General News
BON Urges FG to Transition to Digitization
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has appealed to the federal government to establish a fund to enhance a seamless digital transition programme for the country.
Malam Abubakar Jijiwa, chairman of BON, made the statement in Abuja yesterday at the opening of a two-day digital broadcast summit with the theme “Digital switch-over: milestones and bridges’’. organised by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Jijiwa said the challenges in the broadcasting sector were enormous and urged the government to ensure that no station, whether private of public, would be left behind by 2015.
He said that the constraint of finance and other challenges in the broadcast sector could make it impossible for some stations to meet the deadline of Jan. 1, 2015.
“The challenges in the broadcasting sector are becoming more complex as we move closer to the switch-over date of 2015. We, therefore, want to call for a marshal plan to assist broadcast stations with the needed funds to actualise our goal of transiting seamlessly by January 2015. We are not saying government should give subvention to stations. It should be a loan with a generous repayment arrangement so that our members can have access to funds to address all grey areas ahead of the switch-over date,’’ Jijiwa said.
He said that all BON members were committed to the transition programme as outlined by government, but would need a lot of support from stakeholders to succeed in the exercise.
In his address, Emeka Mba, director-general of NBC, said the forum was to avail stakeholders the opportunity to discuss on digitisation and assess the work done so far.
He said the deadline was real and that NBC and other stakeholders were set to implement key aspects of the road map to the eventual switch-over to digital broadcasting.
Mba said areas slated for discussion included the mechanism for new content development, signal distribution and other key aspects of digital broadcasting.
Labaran Maku, minister of Information, represented by Mrs. Folashade Esan, permanent secretary, commended NBC for the initiative to meet with stakeholders.
She stressed the need for stakeholders to assess the milestones and bridges in Nigeria’s quest to join the rest of the world to switch to digital broadcasting.
Esan urged all players in the broadcast sector to endeavour to adopt trends in technology to ensure that the transition was not only hitch-free but beneficial to all broadcast audiences.
Sen. Bello Tukur, deputy chairman, Senate Committee on Information, commended NBC, BON and other stakeholders for their efforts in pushing the process of digitsation.
Tukur assured the stakeholders of the support of the National Assembly in ensuring that all the activities and programmes that would culminate in a successful transition were actualised.
Victor Oghene, deputy chairman of the House Committee on Information, said the House of Representatives would support in whatever way to ensure that no station was left behind.
Oghene added that the house would not hesitate to amend the relevant laws to give the digitisation exercise a legislative backing.
He said that the house was concerned about the success of the programme because of the excitement with which the Nigerian broadcast audience looked forward to the digital era.
“The year 2015 is very unique for Nigeria; it is not just because it is an electioneering year but because it is an important landmark in the broadcast industry,’’ he said.
He called on participants in the summit to also deliberate on the challenges that could emerge in the digital era, particularly those that would touch on content and signal distribution.
Enugu State-owned commercial airline, Enugu Air, is set to officially launch its operations today Monday, July 7, 2025. The launch ceremony will take place at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expected to attend alongside other dignitaries, according to a statement from the airline.
Dr Obi Ozor, Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, said Enugu Air is a key component of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for a modern, integrated transportation system, aimed at positioning Enugu as a major aviation hub in Nigeria.
The airline will begin operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets, from the E170 and E190 series, chosen for their performance, passenger comfort, and suitability for regional routes.
The airline’s inaugural routes will form a strategic triangular operation connecting Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos, with plans to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other key cities across Nigeria and beyond.
Ozor said, “With a strong foundation built on innovation and sustainability, Enugu Air is poised to transform regional air travel, boost state pride, and raise Enugu’s profile nationally and globally.”
The launch of Enugu Air is expected to have a significant impact on the aviation industry in Nigeria, providing more options for air travel and promoting economic development in the region.
With its modern fleet and strategic routes, Enugu Air is set to revolutionize air travel in Nigeria and establish Enugu as a major player in the country’s aviation sector.
In affirmation of its global standing, Cybervergent, a Pan-African technology company that leverages artificial intelligence to transform how organisations manage risk, governance, privacy, and cybersecurity, has been selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Technology Pioneers for 2025—a global cohort spotlighting companies transforming industries through breakthrough technologies and responsible innovation.
The WEF, an international organisation committed to improving the state of the world through public-private collaboration, brings together global leaders to shape economic, technological, and societal agendas. Cybervergent now joins this global community.
The company is recognized for its innovative approach to building digital trust, reimagining how organisations manage cybersecurity, risk, privacy and governance.
Commenting on the company’s milestone, Adetokunbo Omotosho, CEO of Cybervergent, said, “I am honoured that Cybervergent has been named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. This is more than an accolade — it’s a validation of our commitment to redefining cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management to build true digital trust.
“What makes this recognition even more meaningful is the fact that Cybervergent demonstrates innovation in AI and infrastructure can emerge from any region, challenging conventional perceptions.”
Some past recipients of the Technology Pioneer recognition, including Google, Spotify, and Airbnb have gone on to fundamentally reshape global industries.
As a member of the 2025 Technology Pioneers community, Cybervergent will be contributing to discussions shaping cybersecurity, AI, and cyber resilience across industries and the global digital economy.
Moove, an African mobility fintech startup, is on a quest to secure a $1.2 billion debt financing round to support the rollout of a fleet of autonomous vehicles.
This is in partnership with Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo in the United States, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter.
The startup has since attracted backing, including from Uber Technologies Inc., and entered a strategic partnership with Waymo in December 2024 to provide financing for self-driving cars.
Ladi Delano, co-founder of Moove, noted that the company has a solid financial track record.
“Moove has built strong relationships with some of the world’s leading lenders. We have also fully repaid our first-ever debt facilities, which signals our maturity and marks a key milestone that demonstrates the strength of our platform as we enter the next phase of global autonomous-vehicle infrastructure deployment,” he said.
The round is reportedly oversubscribed, with strong participation from private credit firms and banks.
Waymo has also not made any official statement regarding the funding round. While final details are expected to be concluded in the coming weeks, the deal will mark a significant milestone for the firm as it ramps up its global ambitions.
Founded in 2020 by Nigerian entrepreneurs, Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove began by providing vehicle financing for ride-hailing drivers in Africa’s largest cities.
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