The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that the mass media, whether print, broadcast, online, or other specialised genres, will remain central and strategic stakeholders to the telecom regulator in its commitment to delivering on its regulatory mandates as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 and other policy instruments.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this on Tuesday in his remarks while receiving a delegation of the topmost echelon of the Management of National Economy, a media organisation, on a courtesy visit to the Commission at its head office in Abuja.
Danbatta, who spoke through the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said the NCC remains irrevocably committed to deepening its already established relationship with the media.
He explained that there is no gainsaying the fact that the Commission, by virtue of its regulatory activities in the telecom ecosystem, occupies a strategic position in the official architecture instituted to enhance national economic development.
“By the reckoning of stakeholders, the Commission has performed well, and it recognises the role of the mass media in its successes.
“The relationship of the Commission with the mass media has been cordial over the years, and the Commission will never take the media for granted nor act in any manner that may rupture the relationship,” Danbatta assured.
Recalling the significance of media support in the accomplishments of the NCC, the EVC asserted that, the positive, prominent, accurate, timely and adequate reporting of the Commission by a broad spectrum of the media agency, eased the Commission’s burden in putting its activities in the public sphere and enhanced its effort to enlist the support of other key stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem.
He further stated that the Commission has a deliberate policy of constructive engagement with the media and other stakeholders because it understands the centrality of providing a platform for continuous interface toward positioning and projecting the Commission as a flagship public sector brand in Nigeria and a leading light of telecom regulation in Africa and globally.
Danbatta thanked the media for its superlative response in reporting telecoms notable contributions to GDP, particularly the significance of the sectoral feat in taking Nigeria out of recession.
He recalled with gratitude the noteworthy media reportage of the processes emplaced for the deployment of 5G services in Nigeria, especially the successful auction of the 3.5GHz spectrum for the roll out of the 5G services.
He, therefore, urged journalists and other communication professionals to amplify the Commission’s voice in its publicity and sensitization of the citizens and all stakeholders on the importance of the new generation network towards the economic development of the nation.
Danbatta stated that the Commission looks forward, and very enthusiastically, to a robust collaboration with all stakeholders in communication practice, in order to ensure goal-oriented reporting of the unfolding national developments in the digital economy sector, because of the derivable benefits to the citizens, businesses and the nation at large.
While thanking the Management of National Economy for the visit, commendation and support to the Commision over the years, Danbatta also expressed NCC’s commitment to sustaining its favourable relationship with the media.
The National Economy delegation which was led by Chief Mike Okpare, the Vice Chairman also had Kirk Leigh, Chief Operating Officer; Fadilah Ismail, Head of Advertisement; Bayo Amodu, Head of Stories; and Cees Harmon, General Editor as other members of the delegation.
