New Normal: NCC Hails Online Media Roles Towards Industry Development

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC recognized and commended online media publications on role played towards developing Nigerian’s telecom industry.

This, according to them is one of the best steps taken by government agencies and private companies to achieving unprecedented outreach of its services or products both nationwide and internationally.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Danbatta, ably represented by the Director, Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde makes the remarks in a meet and greet virtual session with online publishers, yesterday.

Adinde who described the telecom sector as the vibrant and dynamic sector of the Nigerian economy, said the result is evident in its contribution to the country’s GDP.

He said, the primacy of the sector  to the Nigerian economy underscores  the need  for an excellent leadership and stewardship, hence President  Muhammadu Buhari recently approved the reappointment of Prof. Umar Danbatta as the EVC/CEO of the NCC for another term of five years,  confirmed by the Senate.

However, the commission urged online publishers and journalists reporting telecommunications in the country to spread information about inherent opportunities in the sector that can benefit Nigerians.

“The fate of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has yet again been entrusted to a tested and trusted hand and you have a role to play to ensure factual reportage of the Commission’s activities and initiatives”, the EVC said.

He identified one of the strategic tenets of the NCC as deliberate partnership and collaboration with its various stakeholders.

NCC boss stressed that “There is no doubt that journalism and the way we report and disseminate news have changed in fundamental ways by virtue of technology.

“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”, the EVC said, adding that journalism and indeed the way

“This virtual meeting today is a testament to this new normal.

“On our part, we will continue to work with you to accomplish the goals and objectives which define our shared interests in building the ICT Sector and telecom in particular for the greater good of Nigerians.

One of the many benefits of what you do as an online journalist 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”.

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 our supervising ministry and other relevant industry stakeholders to extend the frontiers of the digital economy for Nigerians.

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He was however quick to advise publishers “to always contact the Commission for necessary clarifications to ensure accurate and adequate reporting of the industry, as the NCC runs an Open House to our media stakeholders. We call on your 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. On our part we are committed to working with you   as much as we can”, the EVC said.