The Nigerian Minister of Communication and Information, John Odey, has said that it is imperative for Nigeria to switch over to digital broadcasting if the nation does not want to become a dumping ground for analogue equipment from other countries. The Minister said this at the inauguration of the presidential committee on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.Odey, who was represented by the Minister of State for Communication, Alhaji Dasuki Nakande, noted that the nation cannot afford to be left behind in the switchover when the nation consider the drastic consequences of not switching over to digital. According to him, “the government is fully aware that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in view of the drastic consequences on our broadcast industry and the overall information sector. If we do not follow the trend, our country will become a dumping ground for analogue equipment apart from losing other benefits associated with digitalisation.”
He continued, “Your task, distinguished personages, is to deliberate on the implications of digitalisation and provide government with policy framework for the implementation of the process.”
Alhaji Nakande, stressed the need for the committee to come up with a policy framework, that the country will adopt. The policy framework will be complied with by various broadcast stations. “So that Nigeria will have a unified transmission across the country,” he said.
(Source: Vanguard Online/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)