NCC will continue to work with the media as a strategic partner – Danbatta

By Matthew Eloyi

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will continue to prioritize the mass media, whether in print, broadcast, online, or other specialized genres, in carrying out its regulatory mandates as outlined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 and other policy instruments.

Prof. Umar Danbatta, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), disclosed this on Tuesday as he greeted a delegation from the top echelon of the Management of National Economy, a media organization, who paid the Commission a courtesy visit at its Abuja headquarters.

Danbatta said NCC remains firmly dedicated to enhancing its already established connection with the media, speaking through the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde.

The fact that the Commission, through its regulatory actions in the telecom ecosystem, maintains a crucial position in the official architecture erected to boost national economic development, is undeniable, according to Danbatta.

According to the EVC, the Commission has done well in the eyes of stakeholders, and it recognizes the importance of the media in its successes. He stated that the Commission’s relationship with the press has been friendly over the years, and that the Commission will never take the press for granted or act in a way that would jeopardize the relationship.

The EVC emphasized the importance of media support in the NCC’s accomplishments, stating that the positive, prominent, accurate, timely, and adequate reporting by a broad spectrum of media agencies 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.

According to the EVC, the Commission has a deliberate policy of constructive engagement with the media and other stakeholders because it recognizes the importance of providing a platform for continuous interface in 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 praised the media for its outstanding coverage of telecoms’ significant contributions to GDP, emphasizing the importance of the sector’s achievement in bringing Nigeria out of recession.

In addition, the EVC expressed gratitude for the notable media coverage of the processes in place for the deployment of 5G services in Nigeria, particularly the successful auction of the 3.5GHz spectrum for 5G service rollout. He asked journalists and other communication professionals to magnify the Commission’s message in publicizing and informing citizens and all stakeholders about the relevance of the new generation network to the nation’s economic development.

Because of the benefits to citizens, businesses, and the nation at large, the NCC Chief Executive stated that the Commission looks forward 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.

Danbatta underlined NCC’s commitment to maintaining its positive connection with the media, thanking the Management of National Economy for the visit, commendation, and support throughout the years.