The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has officially inaugurated six Ad-Hoc committees, led by BON Chairman Tony Akiotu, aiming to revitalise the local broadcasting sector through innovation, collaboration, capacity building, and strategic reforms.
The inauguration event, held yesterday, drew managing directors, general managers, veteran broadcasters, and media professionals from across the nation. Akiotu characterised this inauguration as a significant milestone in fulfilling his campaign promises and repositioning BON to meet emerging challenges within the industry.
Prominent attendees included veteran broadcaster Bimbo Oloyede, Tony Uyah, Kingsley Uranta, Chukwudi Okolie-Ugbojah, Ismael Sani, Ibrahim Shehu, Christabel Ojay-Iyanya, Patrick Ugbe, Funke Treasure, and BON Executive Secretary Dr Yemisi Bamgbose, along with numerous stakeholders from the broadcasting field.
Akiotu emphasised that the committees were created not just to achieve his policy goals, but also to foster a platform for exchanging ideas among BON members and seasoned broadcasting professionals. This initiative is designed to enhance BON’s operations and ensure the organisation plays a more significant role in shaping Nigeria’s broadcast media landscape.
“The Ad-Hoc committees are primarily aimed at strengthening BON’s operations to ensure that our umbrella body has a more direct and meaningful influence on the broadcast media industry throughout Nigeria,” he stated.
He expressed gratitude to the veteran broadcasters and professionals who agreed to serve on the committees, highlighting the invaluable experience they bring to fortify and improve the organisation.
The committees are as follows:
- Content Collaboration, Programming, and Innovation
- Training, Skills Modernisation
- Talent Development
- Industry Sustainability and Cost Optimisation
- Digital Transition, Regulation, and NBC Engagement
- Policy Advocacy, Stakeholder Engagement, and National Development
- Sports Rights, Investment, and Commercial
According to Akiotu, each committee will be headed by members of the BON General Assembly and will work closely with the BON Secretariat to carry out its mandate. Each committee is expected to submit a preliminary report within three months, with implementation of approved recommendations set to begin within six months.
The committees will serve for a 12-month term, with potential extensions if necessary. Akiotu ensured that all activities, correspondence, and financial dealings of the committees would be coordinated through the BON Secretariat to maintain transparency, accountability, and alignment with the organisation’s goals.
He encouraged members to approach their roles with commitment, reminding them of Nigeria’s historical significance as the first country in Africa to introduce television broadcasting.
Akiotu concluded by expressing his belief that these committees would strengthen BON, enhance its initiatives, and contribute meaningfully to the overall development of Nigeria’s broadcasting sector.
