News
‘Four African Nations May Meet Digitisation Deadline’
Ninety-seven African countries may not meet the June 17, 2015 deadline to switch-over from analogue to digital television broadcasting as a result of insufficient funding and poor infrastructure.
Telecommunications experts at the 5th African Digitalisation Seminar in Tianjin- Beijing at the weekend agreed that unless there was a miracle, only four African countries out of 54 would meet the June 17 switch-over date, just few days away.
Chairman of StarTimes, Dr. Xinxing Wang the organiser of the seminar, titled: “The Challenges of Digitalisation Project in Africa,” said it was a huge challenge financially that would affect the switch- over date.
Although, Wang pledged assistance of the Chinese Government, but added that African countries should be ready to embrace Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the project to speed up the programme.
“There are a lot of benefits from analogue to digital; it can create huge opportunities for business between China investors and African countries.
“The PPP model will enable all stakeholders to achieve a win-win situation in the broadcast industry and also promote cultural exchanges between China and African countries.
“We are aware that there are challenges facing this project in Africa, China is willing to assist. For instance, in Africa, Nigeria is StarTimes biggest market; we are working with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the largest network in Africa.
“We want to have more strategic partners in Africa so that we can produce more programmes in African language like Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo language.
“Our projection is that at the end of this year, we will cover 45 African countries.’’
Wang said that to meet the above challenges, African countries should be able to choose combinations that were cost effective to meet the huge financial responsibility.
“StarTimes will assist in funding the project in a joint venture and will propose a financial proposal that will include exclusive rights and training need of employees,’’ he promised.
The Director-General of the NTA, Mr Sola Omole, told newsmen that the project started well in Nigeria, but soon lost steam to political activities.
“We are not ready for the switch and the structure on ground does not support it,” he said.
Also speaking, a telecommunications analyst, Michael Dearham, who is also the vice president of StarTimes, said African countries need to make careful analysis in choosing an encoding method in order to save cost.
He stressed the need to speed up the digitalisation process by making it a priority, as it would guarantee more transmission, including quality programmes.
A representative of Guinea, Mrs Helen Manuzi, commended StarTimes for boosting the development of communication in many African countries.
Manuzi charged African countries to do everything possible to meet the deadline in inter-connectivity, as China was willing to assist.
Also speaking, Zambia Minister of Communication, who was represented by Dr Peter Ignius, said the seminar provided a platform for African countries to assess various levels and compare notes in the digitalisation process.
He said the seminar was timely as it was being held few days to the deadline, adding that “it is obvious that so many African countries cannot meet the deadline for various reasons.
“In Zambia, we have just completed phase one which may amount to 60 per cent completion.
“Zambia is ready to learn from China and also seek for assistance in completing the project.
“The synergy between China and Africa through media cooperation has continued to bring the two countries closer in so many areas,’’ he said.
A representative of Kenyan Government, Mr Joseph Ubamta said the delay in migration in Kenya was due to the litigation which had slowed down the roll out of the digital signal.
He, however, said that the legal issue has been resolved and that the project was 58 per cent completed enough to guarantee the June switch- over deadline.
Dr Fenella Mukangara,Tanzania’s Minister of Information and Communication, Youths and Sports, said Tanzania had made good progress since 2006 when the decision was taken by the International Television Union (ITU).
According to her, Tanzania is 100 per cent ready to meet the deadline as everything is in place and we successfully migrated in 2012.
“Our infrastructure is in place, the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) all in place and China has been most supportive.
“Our network has increased and the coverage area extends to Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Namibia,’’ she said.
the Tide source reports that over 50 African representatives, including African media representatives attended the programme.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has advised the new Commissioner of Police posted to the State, Olugbenga Adepoju, to resist the temptation of attending nocturnal meetings that will make him declare war on Rivers people.
Rather, the Governor urged him to put the general interest of the people of the State above other considerations so that he can work to ensure that peace prevailed and there is stability.
Governor Fubara gave the advice when he received CP Olugbenga Adepoju, the 47th Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, on courtesy visit, at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The Governor said: “You are not a new person in our State. You’ve been here, more especially, in charge of Operations. It then means if I start to talk about my story, it’ll connect with your activities in Operations. But I am not going to talk about my story.
“But the good thing here is, you said something that I want to really anchor on. Your duty, as it stands now, is to work with the government, work with other sister agencies to maintain law and order, protect lives and property of the people of Rivers State.
“Be apolitical, as you just read in your address. Don’t go to nocturnal meetings in people’s houses, and in the morning, you come and declare war on Rivers people. That is the only advice I will give to you.”
Governor Fubara charged the CP, who is already conversant with the Rivers State terrain and its associated security challenges, to draw up a holistic plan on how to tackle the twin problem of cultism among the youths and kidnapping incidences in boundary communities.
Governor Fubara said his administration is not failing on its responsibilities to security agencies to sufficiently address those issues and save Rivers people, adding, “But the primary duty of this team, these particular challenges are rested on the police. So, please, take this one as my own assignment (to you).
“While you are carrying out the larger assignment that your people from headquarters will send you, also make sure that you look for every way possible to reduce issues of cultism because it is affecting our secondary schools, it is affecting our primary schools with students growing to become monsters, which is also leading to other issues like kidnapping and others.
“It starts from somewhere. So, we must also get to the root and reduce it. I know we cannot totally eliminate it, but, somehow, let us look for a way to reduce it.”
Governor Fubara said the former CP to the State had succeeded because he maintained healthy synergy with the State Government, and assured that the same level of support will be provided to the new CP, if he adheres to the tenets of professionalism, stressing, “On our part as a Government, we will continue to support you to make sure you succeed. Your success here will mean more elevation for you. If you have a very bad record here, whether you like it or not, it will one day in the course of your profession, affect your growth.”
In his address, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity given to him to serve the resilient and vibrant people of Rivers State as the 47th Commissioner of Police.
CP Adepoju said he is fully aware of the complex security challenges in the State, and is determined to do everything professionally to confront them with innovation.
He said, “We will strengthen our intelligence gathering capabilities, enhance our rapid response mechanism, and most importantly, foster deeper trust and collaboration with the community we serve. Our Command will remain firmly apolitical, standing as a neutral and impartial institution, dedicated solely to upholding law and order. This commitment is vital to maintaining the trust and confidence of the people we protect.”
CP Adepoju also said: “While we will engage constructively with political leaders and key stakeholders to secure necessary resources and support, our engagement will always be conducted with professionalism and integrity”.
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, have decorated two officers in Government House with their new ranks of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
They include the Personal Security Officer to the Governor, Anthony Peter, who was recently promoted from Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP 1) to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP); and Provost Marshal, Government House, John Wakama, who was also promoted from Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP 1) to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
Both the Governor and the Commissioner of Police were assisted at the short event by the wives of the newly promoted officers.
The decoration ceremony was performed shortly after the courtesy visit to the Governor by the State Commissioner of Police at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has opposed the proposed increase in the Value Added Tax rate, as outlined in the Federal Government’s Tax Reform Bills, warning that the move could worsen the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
The Federal Government had proposed a phased VAT hike from the current 7.5% to 10%, 12.5%, and ultimately 15%, a move the TUC described as ill-timed and detrimental to the welfare of citizens already grappling with inflation, unemployment, and a soaring cost of living.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, yesterday, following the union’s National Executive Council meeting held on November 26, 2024, TUC President Festus Osifo said maintaining the VAT rate at 7.5 per cent was crucial to safeguarding Nigerians from additional financial pressure.
“Allowing the Value Added Tax rate to remain at 7.5 per cent is in the best interest of the nation. Increasing it now would impose an additional burden on households and businesses already struggling with economic challenges,” Osifo said.
He added, “With inflation, unemployment, and the cost of living on the rise, higher taxes could stifle economic growth and erode consumer purchasing power.”
The TUC called for a review of the tax exemption threshold, urging the government to raise it from N800,000 to N2.5 million per annum to ease the financial strain on low-income earners.
“This measure would increase disposable income, stimulate economic activity, and provide relief to struggling Nigerians,” Osifo explained.
He said, “The threshold for tax exemptions should be increased to N2,500,000 per annum. This adjustment would offer much-needed relief to low-income earners, enabling them to cope with the current economic challenges.”
The TUC also expressed reservations about the proposed transfer of royalty collection from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), citing risks of revenue losses and inefficiencies.
“Royalty determination and reconciliation require specialised technical expertise in oil and gas operations, which the NUPRC possesses but the NRS lacks. This shift could result in inaccurate assessments, enforcement challenges, and reduced investor confidence,” Osifo warned.
The union commended the government’s decision to retain the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, describing their roles as pivotal to the country’s education and technological advancement.
“These institutions have significantly contributed to improving tertiary education and fostering homegrown technologies. Their continued existence is vital for sustained progress in education, technology, and national development,” Osifo said.
Osifo called on the Federal Government to adopt tax policies that prioritise the welfare of citizens and promote equitable economic growth.
“As discussions on the Tax Reform Bill continue, it is our hope that the focus will remain on fostering economic growth and improving living conditions for all Nigerians,” he said.
The TUC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies that enhance the well-being of Nigerians, emphasising that proactive and citizen-centred reforms reflect true leadership.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has noted with delight the initiative, love and courage shown by High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich in contributing to improved road infrastructure in his community.
Governor Fubara made the commendation when he visited the country home of Amb Sobomabo Jackrich to celebrate with him on his birthday, and used the occasion to inaugurate a road project executed by the celebrant in Usokun Town in Degema Local Government Area.
Amb Sobomabo Jackrich, also known as Egberepapa, is a prominent Niger Delta leader and National Chairman of Simplicity Movement.
Governor Fubara said the road project, solely funded and completed by the celebrant, shows how committed he is to making life better for residents in his community.
The Governor said: “Let me on behalf of the guests that are here to celebrate with our brother, not really an official engagement, but on a personal note, also share a wonderful moment with our people.
“Our celebrant is not just celebrating his birthday, but he is also giving back to the society. So, I join him and all well-meaning people that believe in his course to commission this project that he has embarked on in his own accord for the betterment of his people.
“I want to say that with what I am seeing here, there may be a few things that we can also do to make this project more meaningful to the people in terms of streetlights. On our own, we are going to support him to complete it.”
Governor Fubara, who also joined the celebrant to cut the birthday cake, prayed for strength and longevity for the celebrant.