By Mark Orgu, News/Comments, August 30, 2022
LAGOS-The need to create viable and acceptable contents was one of the key areas advocated by media content creator practitioners and stakeholders, at the first Nigerian Electronic Media Content Exhibition and Award, which took place yesterday in Lagos, Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Otive Igbuzor commended the initiative, noting that, if content creators harness the huge potential in the media space, it could bring greater socio-economic development. Omo-Agege however said, that the electronic media content and the film industry, contribute largely to the country’s economy since its motive is to buy, sell, collaborate, aggregate, and exchange ideas around content in the film industry, even as he hail the organisers.
” I commend the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) for this initiative. Nigeria is no doubt a clear leader in raw content production in Africa. Nollywood, Hip Hop, Afrobeat, and our Comedians testify to this. But we are not doing enough to monetize them either through production, distribution, or royalty collection. It is also obvious that we need to be more aware that video, not television, is now more consumed by the younger people who make up a large percentage of the entertainment market” He further stated that everywhere across the globe, video has become the dominant medium, and has exploded via, On Demand and Live streaming. Online TV, while subscription services are now the norm – YouTube, Netflix, Iroko, etc. Video is now delivered via social feeds
like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. Indeed, video has increasingly become the future of web media and competing with scheduled linear TV content for consumer’s attention.
The Delta born Politician charged practitioners to remain in the forefront of their game. “You should at all times embark on a well-researched survey of what the customers want, where they are, what they watch, want to watch, when, and how they want it delivered” The Senator therefore, implore key players to take content, especially video seriously, to be able to tap into, and remain relevant in the global entertainment marketplace, even as he advised that media practitioners should embark on holistic, coordinated, and integrated programme of digital innovation while focusing on resources, investments, and capabilities. “Let me assure you that this National Assembly is committed to making laws that encourage private enterprises, including, of course, helping to grow the creative industry and turning it into a creative economy”, he concluded.
On his part, the Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC), Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah has applauded t, EMCOAN, and its partnership with Broadcast Media Africa to identify and fill a gap in the industry while creating a platform for exchanging ideas, recognizing change makers and promoting creativity, while noting that in the broadcast industry, it begins and ends with content from its creation and dissemination within a framework as guided by media and legal policies. “Content is now a global currency, as it is a key driver of engagement both online, on-air and even offline. With various forms of media providing platforms for diverse content creators, producers and distributors, it therefore questions the future of the broadcast media. Amidst the rapid audience shift from terrestrial television to digital when you consider the rise of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video etc., maintaining the relevance of broadcast media is challenging but necessary for long-term viability.
The DG recalled that the National Broadcasting Commission celebrated 30 years of deregulation and the evolution of the broadcast industry, as the Commission reflected thus on its trajectory thus far along with the industry shifts and policies that have constituted the journey and contemplated how to strategically drive its mandate forward with ongoing trends in the media, which according to him are; the gradual expansion into OTT delivery systems that provide streaming services with robust functionality, reliability, and options for monetization of content; With access to information at ‘one-click’ away, focus may shift to the quality, integrity, and timeliness of content; Making connections for and with audience by modes of broadcasting that allow personalization of content and address practical needs; Education and transparency on the day-to-day media and policy changes that are affecting broadcasting, the convergence of technologies using augmented intelligence and new delivery systems.
He concluded by saying, the importance of content cannot be overemphasized because audiences are engaged by content, brand images and reputations are built based on content generated or the content made available. Meanwhile, the President of EMCOAN, Mrs. Jibe Ologeh, has said that, the exhibition will be yearly, as the initiative is for industry players to learn about how to access TV,Radio and film content market in Nigeria, even as she hoped that the transformation in the world of media and entertainment platforms and infrastructure will irreversibly changes the way of film production, its distribution and monetization content.
The event witnessed high profile dignitaries, ranging from the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, represented by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, DG, ARCON, Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, NTA DG, among others. Highlight of the event include various exhibitions by media content creators, panellists sessions, chorography, among others.
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