January 31, 2010
In recent times, the broadcasting behemoth-Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has come under intense scrutiny from a broad spectrum of Nigerians and analysts generally. The raging debates are centred basically on two major issues. First, the two Houses of the Nigerian National Assembly raised some questions regarding the ongoing upgrading of some broadcasting equipment like the outside broadcast vans so as to make the services of the television network effective and efficient.
In recent times, the broadcasting behemoth-Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has come under intense scrutiny from a broad spectrum of Nigerians and analysts generally. The raging debates are centred basically on two major issues. First, the two Houses of the Nigerian National Assembly raised some questions regarding the ongoing upgrading of some broadcasting equipment like the outside broadcast vans so as to make the services of the television network effective and efficient.
The legislators questioned the legal validity of the contract awarded to a foreign firm without recourse to the approval of both chambers and since according to the law makers, the contract awarded by the Nigerian Television Authority’s management with the approval of the Executive Council of the Federation did not follow due process in compliance with the constitutional provision that makes it mandatory that all federal expenditures must be captured in the appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly.
It was later understood, following the appearances of leading stakeholders before the National Assembly that the contract to upgrade the facilities in the Nigerian Television Authority was granted exceptional presidential waiver because of the urgency of the anticipated national assignment that the broadcasting conglomerate was expected to perform namely the transmission of the 2009 Junior (under 17) world cup of FIFA which Nigeria hosted. It is instructive to note that both the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) Emeka Eze and the Federal Minister of Information professor Dora Akunyili appeared before the Communications Committees of the two chambers in the National Assembly to inform Nigerians that there were no skeletons in the cupboards of the Nigerian Television Authority’s management for going ahead with the upgrading of facilities since the highest decision making body of the Federal government approved the award of the contract to upgrade the equipment in the Nigerian Television Authority which will benefit all Nigerians.
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For now, the legislators have exonerated the management of the Nigerian Television Authority headed by Alhaji Usman Mohammed Magawata of any financial indiscretion in the award of the contract for the upgrading of facilities particularly because the executive council of the Federation and the Bureau for public Procurement approved and monitored the process leading to the award.
The next issue that has put the Nigerian Television Authority on the firing line is the coverage of the events unfolding in the absence of the president, Umaru Musa Yar’adua following his departure to Saudi Arabia to attend to his health condition. The alleged refusal of the Nigerian Television Authority to give live coverage to the debate in the senate on the prolonged absence of the president was viewed differently by a cross section of Nigerians. While some Nigerians including the senate media committee chairman senator Ayogu Eze see the failure of the NTA as a dereliction of the social responsibility duty of the NTA, some persons in the management said that the decision not to cover the debate live has indeed saved Nigerians from undue tensions that would have been generated.
Other analysts questioned the social responsibility role of the Nigerian Television Authority and have demanded that general public and not government interest be projected by the publicly funded television outfit.
On its official website, Nigerian Television Authority wrote thus; “The Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA) is the national television Network, for the People of Nigeria. Its key function is to provide as a public service in the interest of Nigeria, independent and impartial television broadcasting for general reception.”
“NTA seeks to service as a tool for national integration. The vision is to be a world class Television Network and the mission is to provide excellent television service world-wide and project the true African perspective.”
How far has NTA gone in achieving these noble objectives? In response, The Guardian, an independent national newspaper ran an editorial on Sunday October 18th 2009 whereby it stated thus; “The Federal government owned television network the NTA is arguably the largest of its type in Africa, but it is yet to have the operational freedom required to maximize its potentials.”
Most Nigerians have often asked questions relating to the editorial independence of the Nigerian Television Authority which culminated in doubts raised by a contributor to an online encyclopedia Wikipedia on the veracity of the claim of the NTA’s management that it is out to serve public interest. The online encyclopedia stated thus; “The Nigeria Television Authority claim to run the biggest television network in Africa with stations in several parts of Nigeria. The network began with a take over of regional television stations in 1976 by the then Nigerian military Authority”.
Encyclopedia Wikipedia wrote further;
“It is widely viewed as the authentic voice of the Nigerian government. It is known more as a government mouthpiece than as an Independent media outfit. The network was first known as Nigerian Television (NTV). The name was later changed to Nigerian Television Authority, NTA as it is now known.”
Some observers believe that the current Director General Malam Usman Mohammed Magawata appointed on May 9th 2008 by the president will introduce some radical changes to give the Nigerian people the true ownership of NTA. Those who hold this view say that the Human Rights background of the Director General goes to show that the outfit will implement NTA’s core values which are; professionalism, accuracy, credibility, impartiality, balance objectivity, national interest, social responsibility, sensitivity and commitment to world Peace and development.
Analysts believe that some innovative news programmes like News 24 introduced by the current Director General is one way of handing back true ownership of the NTA to the Nigerian People who are the authentic owners. Other observers are not satisfied with what they regard as the slow process of transmitting real pro-people programmes that will serve the interests of Nigerians. It is expected that the current Director General will strike a balance between public and government interest so that Nigerians will gain real ownership of NTA.
• Onwubiko heads Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria.
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The legislators questioned the legal validity of the contract awarded to a foreign firm without recourse to the approval of both chambers and since according to the law makers, the contract awarded by the Nigerian Television Authority’s management with the approval of the Executive Council of the Federation did not follow due process in compliance with the constitutional provision that makes it mandatory that all federal expenditures must be captured in the appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly.
It was later understood, following the appearances of leading stakeholders before the National Assembly that the contract to upgrade the facilities in the Nigerian Television Authority was granted exceptional presidential waiver because of the urgency of the anticipated national assignment that the broadcasting conglomerate was expected to perform namely the transmission of the 2009 Junior (under 17) world cup of FIFA which Nigeria hosted. It is instructive to note that both the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) Emeka Eze and the Federal Minister of Information professor Dora Akunyili appeared before the Communications Committees of the two chambers in the National Assembly to inform Nigerians that there were no skeletons in the cupboards of the Nigerian Television Authority’s management for going ahead with the upgrading of facilities since the highest decision making body of the Federal government approved the award of the contract to upgrade the equipment in the Nigerian Television Authority which will benefit all Nigerians.
articleadslinks
For now, the legislators have exonerated the management of the Nigerian Television Authority headed by Alhaji Usman Mohammed Magawata of any financial indiscretion in the award of the contract for the upgrading of facilities particularly because the executive council of the Federation and the Bureau for public Procurement approved and monitored the process leading to the award.
The next issue that has put the Nigerian Television Authority on the firing line is the coverage of the events unfolding in the absence of the president, Umaru Musa Yar’adua following his departure to Saudi Arabia to attend to his health condition. The alleged refusal of the Nigerian Television Authority to give live coverage to the debate in the senate on the prolonged absence of the president was viewed differently by a cross section of Nigerians. While some Nigerians including the senate media committee chairman senator Ayogu Eze see the failure of the NTA as a dereliction of the social responsibility duty of the NTA, some persons in the management said that the decision not to cover the debate live has indeed saved Nigerians from undue tensions that would have been generated.
Other analysts questioned the social responsibility role of the Nigerian Television Authority and have demanded that general public and not government interest be projected by the publicly funded television outfit.
On its official website, Nigerian Television Authority wrote thus; “The Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA) is the national television Network, for the People of Nigeria. Its key function is to provide as a public service in the interest of Nigeria, independent and impartial television broadcasting for general reception.”
“NTA seeks to service as a tool for national integration. The vision is to be a world class Television Network and the mission is to provide excellent television service world-wide and project the true African perspective.”
How far has NTA gone in achieving these noble objectives? In response, The Guardian, an independent national newspaper ran an editorial on Sunday October 18th 2009 whereby it stated thus; “The Federal government owned television network the NTA is arguably the largest of its type in Africa, but it is yet to have the operational freedom required to maximize its potentials.”
Most Nigerians have often asked questions relating to the editorial independence of the Nigerian Television Authority which culminated in doubts raised by a contributor to an online encyclopedia Wikipedia on the veracity of the claim of the NTA’s management that it is out to serve public interest. The online encyclopedia stated thus; “The Nigeria Television Authority claim to run the biggest television network in Africa with stations in several parts of Nigeria. The network began with a take over of regional television stations in 1976 by the then Nigerian military Authority”.
Encyclopedia Wikipedia wrote further;
“It is widely viewed as the authentic voice of the Nigerian government. It is known more as a government mouthpiece than as an Independent media outfit. The network was first known as Nigerian Television (NTV). The name was later changed to Nigerian Television Authority, NTA as it is now known.”
Some observers believe that the current Director General Malam Usman Mohammed Magawata appointed on May 9th 2008 by the president will introduce some radical changes to give the Nigerian people the true ownership of NTA. Those who hold this view say that the Human Rights background of the Director General goes to show that the outfit will implement NTA’s core values which are; professionalism, accuracy, credibility, impartiality, balance objectivity, national interest, social responsibility, sensitivity and commitment to world Peace and development.
Analysts believe that some innovative news programmes like News 24 introduced by the current Director General is one way of handing back true ownership of the NTA to the Nigerian People who are the authentic owners. Other observers are not satisfied with what they regard as the slow process of transmitting real pro-people programmes that will serve the interests of Nigerians. It is expected that the current Director General will strike a balance between public and government interest so that Nigerians will gain real ownership of NTA.
• Onwubiko heads Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria.
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