…But Facts Prove otherwise
Federal Government has said Nigeria is irrevocably committed to meeting the June 2017 Digital Switch Over deadline in order to protect broadcast signals from interference and also to unlock the creative potentials of Nigerians in technology and content development.
In may, Government approved high subsidy for set-top boxes needed for effective migration from analogue to digital broadcasting in the country. It gave out about 200, 000 boxes free to commence smooth roll-out of the digital broadcasting in Jos.
However, the real cost for a set-up-box is about N10, 000, each buyer will pay meager of N1, 500 per box. Authorities stated that after the successful roll-out in Jos, government would move to Abuja followed by Lagos until the country is fully transited to digital television broadcasting.
But questions remain about how to reach the entire country with setup boxes for over 24 million families that own and watch TV.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is quoted as saying that “the process of digitalization is unstoppable and irreversible; it’s not a matter of choice. If we do not follow the world to digitalise and meet the June 2017 target, it means that our telephones, televisions and radios will not be free from interference. As a matter of fact, planet earth today does not know the extent of the dividends of digitalization and how far it will go.
“Digitalization is going to affect the way we perceive and understand broadcasting. It will act as a catalyst to unleash the creative potentials of our youths. It will also provide the panacea to piracy. It will create so much possibility that will enable Africa leapfrog and join the next generation of technology,” Alhaji Mohammed said
“This ministry is going to start a campaign very soon to promote national rebirth and value re-orientation, because unless we change our ways and we are able to bring back discipline, integrity and values, the change we are talking about will not take place,” the Minister said.
