Broadcasters back NBC boss, welcome reforms in sector

The Digital and Online Broadcasters Association of Nigeria has welcomed the reforms introduced by Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, in the sector.

According to a statement signed by its President, Uche Lucy, on Tuesday, the group said Ilelah’s antecedent in the broadcasting industry is already yielding dividends aplenty.

Recall that Ilelah took over from Prof Armstrong Idachaba who was in Acting capacity since February 2020 following the suspension of Mallam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu.

In barely six months on the job, Uche noted that the DG has sanitized the sector.

She, therefore, thanked President Buhari for appointing Ilelah and also creating a conducive atmosphere for him to thrive.

The group, however, urged all relevant stakeholders to extend their support to Ilelah-led NBC in their quest towards transforming the broadcasting sector.

Read full statement below:

The Digital and Online Broadcasters Association of Nigeria is issuing this press statement given the prevailing circumstances occasioned by the leadership strides at the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The new leadership of the NBC under Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, whose antecedent in the broadcast industry speaks volumes of a broadcaster per excellence and with vast knowledge of the intricacies inherent in broadcasting in contemporary times.

The Digital and Online Broadcasters Association of Nigeria lauds the new leadership drive at the NBC that aims to reposition the commission to fulfil its regulatory supervision of the broadcast industry in Nigeria.

The reforms introduced by the new leadership at NBC have been noteworthy and indicative of a more conducive atmosphere for the thriving broadcast industry in Nigeria. This, in our opinion, is a welcome development and long overdue due to the strategic importance of the broadcast industry in society-building.

The membership of the Digital and Online Broadcasting Association of Nigeria views the reforms introduced by the NBC leadership towards sanitizing the sector as a step in the right direction that must be sustained.

It is our considered opinion that the DG of the NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, indeed hit the ground running since his appointment and brought decades of experience in the broadcast industry to bear in the administration of the NBC.

We also wish to commend the management team of the NBC for providing the necessary support towards the actualization of the reforms introduced towards attaining the overarching objective of the NBC.

As critical stakeholders in the industry, the Digital and Online Broadcasters Association of Nigeria wishes to use this medium to express our delight in the leadership stride at the NBC and pledges our support towards the full implementation of the reforms aimed at sanitizing the broadcast industry in Nigeria.
We are grateful to Mr President for the sound choice of Balarabe Shehu Ilelah as director-general of the NBC. This goes a long way to show the commitment of Mr President towards creating a conducive atmosphere for the broadcast industry in Nigeria to thrive.

We call on all relevant stakeholders to extend their support to the Balarabe Shehu Ilelah led NBC in implementing the notable reforms that would see the thriving of the broadcast industry in Nigeria.