The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that digital migration in
broadcasting is irreversible and unstoppable, hence Nigeria and indeed the
entire African continent must join the global digitalization train so as not to
be left behind, reports ITRealms.
Speaking at the end of
the 6th African Digital TV Development Seminar in the Chinese capital in Beijing, on Saturday the
Minister said it is imperative for Africa to utilize the platform provided by
digitalization to leapfrog into the future of technology.
He said a successful
transition would spin off benefits far beyond broadcasting, not just for
Nigeria but for the entire African continent, adding that a timely and
successful Digital Switch Over (DSO) would put many of the country's youths to
work, provide the platform for their creativity to blossom, ensure technology
transfer and create opportunities far beyond what anyone can fathom at the
moment.
Alhaji Mohammed said it
was in realization of the far-reaching benefits of the DSO that African
Ministers in charge of Information and Communication, who attended the forum,
have agreed on the need for a continental synergy and the sharing of
experiences in order to facilitate a successful switchover across the
continent.
He said a situation in
which only two African nations have so far successfully digitalized their
broadcast industry does not augur well for the continent, hence the decision by
the Ministers to work together to fast-track the switch
over project.
''The Digital Switch
Over is a global project. Many countries that have concluded their DSO are
already reaping the benefits accruing therefrom. Africa can not afford to lag
too far behind,'' the Minister said.
He commended the
organizers of the Forum for providing a platform not just for all those
involved in the digitalization process in Africa and China to interact and
share experiences, but also for the representatives of the various African
countries to interact.
''The lessons we have
learnt and the experiences we have shared at this forum will definitely fire
our zeal to continue working apace towards a timely and successful
digitalization. We must all build on the momentum we have garnered through our
interactions in these past few days,'' the Minister said.
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