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The duck test, a fairly popular abductive reasoning form, is what I have elected to start this piece with. In case, just in case, you have no familiarity with the duck test, this is what it says in its most elementary form: “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.”
The test implies that one can identify a subject by observing its/his or her habitual characteristics and actions. With the duck test, I am scrutinizing the role of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who, in February, announced himself the chairman of the Ministerial Task Force on the Federal Government’s Digital Switchover (DSO) programme. Since then, and, of course, before, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which should drive the DSO programme, has become an extra in its own movie.
Livinus Acholonu
Recently Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information of Information and Culture, who many industry players have alleged has usurped the role of the NBC as the regulator as the driver of national digital switch over (DSO) process, issued a directive to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for current pay terrestrial operations of GOtv and StarTimes to migrate to the Free TV platform. This, according to the NBC, is in line with the guidelines of the Federal Government Whitepaper on the DSO.
However, this directive and many more actions of the minister point to a larger attempt at using the DSO to effectively take over the Nigerian broadcasting market and place it at the disposal of certain political actors in preparation for the 2023 presidential election.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said the federal government will roll out the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Lagos state on April 29, 2021, which could create one million jobs in the three years. The minister who led the Ministerial Taskforce of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on […]
We’ll support digital switch over, says Sanwo-Olu
Dayo Ojerinde
Published 12:21 am
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said his administration will support the digital switch over being embarked on by the Federal Government, adding that it will enhance job creation and content development.
Sanwo-Olu, according to a statement on Sunday, noted that the switch over would be of immense benefits to residents, adding that Lagos State would provide support for the rollout.
The governor was quoted to have said these when the Ministerial Taskforce of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on Digital Switch Over, led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid him a visit at the Lagos House, Marina.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu says his administration will support the Digital Switch Over (DSO) being embarked by the country, saying it would enhance job creation and content development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who acknowledged that the DSO would be of immense benefit to residents said Lagos State would be providing publicity support for the rollout.
Speaking on Saturday when the Ministerial Taskforce of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on Digital Switch Over led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the DSO will provide job opportunities for youths and many businesses, especially those in the entertainment and tourism industry.