Connect with us

Business

FG Plans N100bn Free TV Distribution Network For Nollywood

Published

8 years ago

on

The Minister for Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed has stated that the Federal Government has concluded plans to launch a N100 billion per annum free television distribution network to boost the Nollywood industry in Nigeria.
Mohammed stated this at the formal commissioning of the Gospel Digital Technology, Ultra-Modern Surface Mount Technology (SMT) set top boxes manufacturing plant at the Free Zone Enterprise in Calabar, saying that the gesture is intended to grow the economy of the movie industry in the country.
In his words, “today if you want to buy a Nollywood film, you either go to the Alaba market or you go and buy from the authorised shops, but with this network, it is now possible for millions of Nigerians to buy on demand. We call it video on demand. It is part of the facilities available on this set top boxes, which means you can buy online. Imagine if 20 million people order a film in on day, it would grow the economy of Nollywood.”
The information and culture minister described the commissioning as a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards attaining technological self-reliance, stressing that it was impressive that the factory can produce 2.4 million set top boxes annually, adding that it was a long held dream brought to fruition earlier than expected.
Mohammed lauded investors for exhibiting confidence in the digital switch over programme of the Federal Government.
Also speaking at the event,Chairman of the board of Gospel Digital Technology, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa said the factory will not only assemble set up boxes but also be involved in the production of other electronics.
The board chairman commended the Federal Government and other stakeholders for their support for them as the company to provide the set top boxes for the country’s digital switch over.
Group Managing Director of Gospel Digital Technology, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa also said, “In addition to DTT and DTH we are witnessing pioneering efforts in local production by commissioning three SMT automatic chip placement lines and four pneumatic assembly lines with the capacity of placing 250, 000 components per hour and production of 200,000 STB per month and also manufacture 100, 000 printed circuit boards per month.
“By this reckoning, the company is one of very few that you can find anywhere in the West African sub-region and is also capable of manufacturing, TV decoders, prepaid electricity metres, smart phones TV main boards, tablets and all kinds of electronic devices.
“In addition to the above, the most cheering aspect is the jobs that will be created as well as the technological knowledge acquisition that comes with this commissioning. I can say with all sense of responsibility that within the exercise between 300 and 500 jobs will be created and within the next few years, this will go a long way in reducing some of the societal ills associated with idleness.” He maintained.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the Nigeria Broadcast Commission (NBC), Mallam Ishaq Modibo Kawu, congratulated Gospel for and impressive work.
Kawu averred that theirs is the first SMT production line in West Africa and would open up avenues of digital revolution in the country, as well as create opportunities for young people.
Speaking also at the ceremony, Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, pointed out that the state was the right place for business and promised to partner with the company.
Our Correspondent however reports that the Cross River State governor ordered for 5000 set top boxes at the commissioning.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Business

NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 27, 2025

By

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Continue Reading

Business

ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 27, 2025

By

National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Continue Reading

Business

NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 27, 2025

By

In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
Continue Reading

Trending