By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian Communications Commission has solicited the continuous support of the online media in the area of enlightening the general public on the various consumer-centric regulatory initiatives of the Commission.
This is coming as the commission has pledged to make NCC the leading public sector brand in the use of online media for organizational communication and stakeholder engagement.
The Executive-Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, stated this during the virtual meeting with Online Partners of the commission held on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
According to him, “We see you as a major part of our success and will like to appreciate your contributions, timely and accurate dissemination of news and information regarding our regulatory activities as a telecoms industry regulator.
“There is no doubt that journalism and the way we report and disseminate news have changed in fundamental ways by virtue of technology. Adding that the Covid-19 pandemic has also drastically changed the way we communicate and interact with digital platforms becoming the norm for carrying out official and personal activities. This virtual meeting today is a testament to this new normal, he said.
Danbatta noted that the digital media environment has brought about new opportunities and challenges for online journalists, stressing that one of the many benefits of what they do as an online journalists is the real-time dissemination of information and the immediacy it involves.
“The availability of online news 24/7 and its accessibility and availability to consumers make your work very important, you are therefore constantly faced with the challenge of not only reporting events real-time, sometimes, but balancing that need for speed with the accuracy and integrity demanded by your profession, he added.
The EVC further informed that there has been a considerable increase in the number of people accessing the news via online platforms, especially among younger audiences and assured that the commission will continue to work with Online media to accomplish the goals and objectives which define the NCC’s shared interests in building the ICT Sector and telecom in particular for the greater good of Nigerians.
He informed that the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the New National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), the NCC Strategic Management Plan (2020-2024), creation of the Digital Economy Department all underscore the policy directions of the Federal Government which the NCC is expected to drive working with its supervising ministry and other relevant industry stakeholders to extend the frontiers of the digital economy for Nigerians.
Danbatta urged online media partners to constantly visit the NCC’s official website (www.ncc.gov.ng) which is a repository of information and necessary latest statistics on the performance of the telecommunications industry.
He assured that the commission will maintain open door policy for necessary clarifications to ensure accurate and adequate reporting of the industry, as the NCC runs an Open House to our media stakeholders. He called for support and continued collaboration in reporting our activities and initiatives for the good of every Nigerian and for the growth of the telecom industry. your role is indeed very critical.
Danbatta therefore reiterated the Commission’s resolve in ensuring that Nigerians are enlightened and carried along on the Commission’s journey to advance the digital economy agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari and that the members of the 4th estate of the realm are indeed critical stakeholders on this journey.
Sundiata Post recalls that the communications sector and telecoms, in particular, is indeed the most vibrant and dynamic sector of the economy and requires excellent leadership and stewardship, no wonder President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved the reappointment of Prof.Umar Danbatta as the EVC/CEO of the NCC for another term of five years which has since been confirmed by the Senate. With this reappointment, the fate of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has yet again been entrusted to a tested and trusted hand.
