ADVAN urges stakeholders to prepare for analogue switch-over

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria, through its President, Mr. Kolawole Oyeyemi, has urged all stakeholders with the imminent advent of the digitisation of the electronic media, to step up preparations for the much awaited analogue switch-over.

ADVAN President, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi

The ADVAN President made this statement while addressing participants at a Breakfast Session with the National Broadcasting Commission on the digitalisation of the electronic media, held in Lagos.

While addressing the forum, which comprised various stakeholders in the digitalisation process, he admonished the participants to begin to look at various opportunities that will emerge as a result of the coming digitalisation, while putting in place all necessary facilities and procedures, to ensure a smooth transition to the new era.

Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Chief Emeka Mba, who was the keynote speaker during the breakfast session, spoke on “Transition to Digital Television in Nigeria: An Overview of What Is Coming.”

Mba in his presentation sensitised the participants on the implication of the coming digitalization, its expected benefits and the possible multiplier effect it will have on the country in general.

While informing the participants about the various effort the government, through its relevant agencies have put into meeting the analogue switch-over deadline of June 2015, Mba also advised the stakeholders to immediately, begin to consider the robust business opportunities that will come about as a result of the process.

He said that a lot of investment will be required in the area of content development, and stakeholders should begin to think in that direction.

The ITU conference at Geneva, Switzerland in 2006 can be said to have kick started the new age in electronic media broadcasting. At this conference, 120 countries, including Nigeria, signed a treaty setting June 17 2015 as the date for migration from analogue to digital television by African, European and Middle Eastern Region countries.