Date Published: 09/08/11

Akpabio extols Nigerian electronic mass media in global community

AKWA Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has extolled the Nigerian electronic mass media have given the country a greater voice on issues in the global community.

Chief Akpabio, who made the assertion when the chief executive officers of some electronic mass media and executive members of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Lodge, Uyo, noted that the media have helped to shape the opinion of the people and have the capability to incite the masses against one another.

Akpabio, who thanked the media chiefs both at national and local levels for coming to Uyo for a three-day retreat to review the broadcasting code, said “This is a government that came to change the perception of the people and governance and to restore the dignity through prudent management of resources.”

The governor, who conducted the media chiefs round the Tropicana Entertainment Centre in Uyo stated “Today, I welcome you to the new Jerusalem. I welcome you to new hope of the South-South. I welcome you to an emerging economic hub of the Gulf of Guinea. I welcome you to new resort that we are going to build outside Dubai for the people of Nigeria. It is through Akwa Ibom that Nigeria will save its foreign exchange.”

The Director-General of NBC, Mr Yomi Bolarinwa, said the broadcast industry was transiting from analogue to digital and they were in the city that was undergoing digital.

Mr Bolarinwa recalled that in a knowledge-based society, Akwa Ibom State should become a wired city by having its wired broadband in internet and erection of a mast.

The Chief Executive Officer/chairman of African Independent Television (AIT), Chief (Dr) Raymond Dokpesi, thanked God for giving him an opportunity to witness the transformation in Akwa Ibom State under the leadership of Chief Akpabio, saying that he has justified the confidence and trust reposed in him by the people.