NCC will maintain cordial relationship with media industry – Danbatta

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta said Nigeria media industry is a strategic ally to the Commission and they will strive to maintain the relationship.

Prof. Danbatta stated this on Tuesday in his remarks as he received a delegation of the topmost echelon of the Management of National Economy, a media organisation, that paid a courtesy visit on the Commission at its head office in Abuja.

He said the NCC has cordial relationship with the mass media for unbroken record of years, saying that it will never be taken for granted going forward.

According to him, the NCC has regard for the mass media, whether print, electronic, online or other specialised genres, insisting that they are all seen as central and strategic stakeholders to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in its commitment to delivering on its regulatory mandates as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 and other policy instruments.

The Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde who spoke on behalf of the EVC, said the NCC would continue to deepen it’s relationship with the mass media because of the strategic onerous regulatory mandate.od the Commission in the telecom ecosystem.

According to him, by the reckoning of stakeholders, the Commission has performed well, and it recognises the role of the mass media in its successes.

He said: “Recalling the significance of media support in the accomplishments of NCC,” he asserted that, the positive, prominent, accurate, timely and adequate reporting of the Commission by a broad spectrum of the media agency, eased 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.

The EVC 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.

In addition, the EVC 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 urged journalists and other communication professionals to amplify 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.

The NCC Chief Executive stated that the Commission looks forward, 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 Commission over the years, Danbatta also expressed NCC’s commitment to sustaining its favourable relationship with the media.

The delegation from the National Economy was led by Chief Mike Okpare, Vice Chairman. His colleagues the delegation are Kirk Leigh, Chief Operating Officer; Fadilah Ismail, Head of Advertisement; Bayo Amodu, Head of Stories; and Cees Harmon, General Editor.