NCDMB holds Capacity building workshop for media stakeholders in Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) today, Tuesday 7th December, 2021 held a workshop for media stakeholders with theme: Sustaining Nigerian Content amidst shifting Energy Landscape: The role of the media. The event held at the prestigious Habitat Hotels Port Harcourt had in attendance key players in the Nigeria media space across the South-south region.
Recalling the key core values of NCDMB which are anchored on; patriotism, passions, professionalism, integrity, team spirit and creativity may have initiated this media parley as they are truly leaving up to their corporate organizational goals.
Shortly before the workshop commenced, Obinna Ezeobi, Chief Supervisor Corporate Communications coordinated the Ice breaker moments which engaged participants and got them ready for the main session.
Dr. Ginah O. Ginah, General Manager Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination NCDMB took the opening remark and set the agenda of the day. In his address, he applauded the initiative and drive of the Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Wabote and this has won him and the board various accolades including the Global content personality award and more. He also said this workshop is part of the strategy of the board to keep engaging the media stakeholders and ensuring they remain up to date with industry related practices and issues. Dr. Ginah at the end of his remarks, on behalf of the Executive Secretary declared the workshop open.
The workshop had 3 key presenters. The first session titled: R&D as pathway for deepening Nigerian content implementation was presented by Mr. Patrick Daziba Oba, Director, Research, Planning and Statistics. He identified that R&D enables new products and services to survive the growth of a business and keep them competitive amongst other industry players. He also noted that the NCDMB developed her 10year R&D road map which he said is worth emulating by other agencies. Infrastructure and funding are the key drivers to R&D, Mr. Patrick added. NCDMB has equally identified 5 key tertiary institutions that are partners with the board in the areas of R&D.
The 2nd session was presented by Professor Aniefiok Udoudo, Head of Department, Linguistics/Communication Department, University of Port Harcourt titled: Retooling Competencies for the Changing Media Landscapes. He started with the phrase "when a doctor makes a mistake he kills one person, but when a journalist makes a mistake, he or she kills and entire society." The presentation gave detailed insight on the various stages and development of the media space. Present day technology he notes has emerged over time and is still evolving in today's journalism practice. He notes that though print, radio and television were the bedrock of the media in the past, but today we are in a digital era which is a convergence of all. He enjoined journalist to keep reading and researching, that this is the only way they will remain relevant to the society and masses at large. He enjoined Mediapreneurs to invest in new technologies to conform with the new and emerging technologies.
Professor Chijioke Nwaozuzu, Director Emerald Energy Institute, University of Port Harcourt, took the 3rd presentation Dissecting the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He notes that the PIA has created a peaceful co-existence between host communities and operating companies. And urged oeprating companies to ensure that their impact should be felt at the grass root level by their host communities. He faulted a section of the act called the Frontier funds, and says it remains a contentious issue yet to be clarified. While Engr. Wale Adenugba, Manager Project certification authorization department (PCAD) gave an insight into the Nigerian Content Opportunities in the LNG train 7 .
At the end, Barrister Naboth Onyesoh, Manager Corporate communications did a recap of all presentation and reports. He applauded the speakers for their rich and detailed presentations and eschewed journalist to apply all tips and knowledge gained into their daily practice in discharging their constitutional duties.
