WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND CULTURE – DR. (MRS.) IFEOMA ADAORA ANYANWUTAKU ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION (NBC) HELD ON THURSDAY, 31ST MARCH, 2022, AT OBASANJO HALL, BLOCK A, FEDERAL SECRETARIAT COMPLEX, PHASE TWO, ABUJA
It is with great pleasure that I most warmly welcome you all to this inauguration ceremony of the newly constituted Governing Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) heralding the beginning of a new dawn in the Commission. The inauguration of this Board today, follows the approval of nominees by His Excellency, President Muhammad Buhari, GCFR, on the recommendations of the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture. I, therefore, heartily congratulate the Board Chairman and Members to be inaugurated today, while wishing you a successful tenure of office. Having gone through your various profiles, I have no iota of doubt that you will make the desired impact on the Commission.
2. As you are aware, the National Broadcasting Commission as regulator of the broadcasting industry in Nigeria, has the onerous responsibility of receiving, processing and considering applications and issuing of licenses for the establishment, ownership or operation of radio and television stations, including cable television services, direct satellite broadcast and any other broadcasting media. Its many other responsibilities include but are not limited to determining and applying sanctions, including revocation of licenses of defaulting stations which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in the public interest.
3. In view of the onerous responsibilities set out for the National Broadcasting Commission by virtue of the provisions made in its enabling Act – the National Broadcasting Commission Act, the role of its Governing Board in assisting the Commission to effectively discharge its mandate to the Nigeria people is of utmost importance.
This is particularly germane in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and religiously diverse country such as Nigeria where fifth columnists are most likely to exploit any fault lines or slightest mistakes made by the Media. This has been further heightened as the broadcast industry now grapples with the dangers of misinformation and disinformation.
There would, therefore, be greater need for synergy between this newly constituted Board and the management team of the Commission, to curb the use of broadcast media to disseminate disinformation and hate speech, especially as we gear towards the 2023 political activities.
4. Let me at this point, categorically state, that the extant Federal Government Circulars guiding the appointment of members of Commissions must guide your functions and operations as Board members. Your role as members of the Governing Board, is essentially the deliberation of general policy formulations for implementation by the Management. You are therefore, not to be involved in the day-day running of the Commission.
5. Furthermore, please always remember to be guided by the provisions of the National Broadcasting Act, the Guides to Administrative procedures in the Federal Public Service, as well as the Public Service Rules. The need for constant consultations with the Supervising Ministry to ensure that decisions of the Board are in the best interest of the Service, cannot be over-emphasized. Let your decisions be always guided by transparency, accountability, equity and established public service rules.
6. While I congratulate you once again on your appointments as Chairman and Board Members respectively, let me also at this juncture, warmly welcome you most heartily to the big family of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. I urge you to close ranks and work harmoniously for the benefit of the staff and management of the National Broadcasting Commission, and indeed the entire broadcast industry.
7. I thank you all for your kind attention.
