Broadcasting
Copyright Commission, ICPC Commit to Intelligence Sharing
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have committed to exploring avenues of intelligence sharing and institutional support towards effective implementation of their respective regulatory and enforcement mandates.
Both regulatory and enforcement agencies reached this understanding during a consultative meeting between the Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye and the Director-General of NCC, Mr. John O. Asein at the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja.
Receiving the Director-General of NCC in his office, the ICPC Chairman indicated that, in line with its mandate, the ICPC would work with the NCC to help promote anti-corruption and instill institutional integrity. The Chairman also assured the Director General of NCC that, as part of the institutional collaboration to promote the creative sector, ICPC would be willing to assist in the areas of manpower training, capacity building and research.
He stated that the anti-corruption agency was disposed to sharing intelligence with the NCC as well as assist it in the establishment of a modern forensic unit to strengthen its investigation activities.
“ICPC has had to upgrade its forensic unit and digital technology. We are not even there yet but we have a road map and we have improved the ICT facility so we can digitise our records, interviews, investigations, etc,” stated Prof. Owasanoye, adding that NCC could benefit from such data management upgrade.
The Chairman further assured that ICPC would assist the NCC in its bid to check institutional complicity in the perpetuation of copyright violations and piracy in line with its statutory mandates of enforcement and prevention of corrupt acts through systems study review of institutions and giving directives for curative steps, including public education and enlightenment.
Prof. Owosanoye stated that under its existing project of university systems study which addresses problems of plagiarism and certificate forgery by some academics, the ICPC could find ways of addressing the problem of copyright piracy to put in check those indulging in copyright and intellectual property theft.
He indicated that ICPC was willing to make appropriate recommendations to higher authorities on areas of need to strengthen the operational capacity of the NCC, adding that like the anti-graft Commission, public sector institutions needed to get things right for effective service delivery.
“As an anti-corruption and integrity institution, ICPC is making efforts to inculcate integrity standards, standard operating procedures guiding people and providing anti-corruption roadmap that is not ambiguous,” he stated.
The Director-General, NCC, Mr. John O. Asein had earlier stated that as a regulatory and enforcement agency responsible for the creative sector that enriches the nation’s assets, the Commission was interested in imbibing the values of ICPC to boost its operational efficacy.
“We want to know more about those values and infuse them into our system for the well-being and sustainable development of the copyright industries,” he added.
He solicited for inter-agency collaboration to enable the NCC benefit from the technical expertise of ICPC in the areas of investigation, institutional compliance and intelligence sharing to enhance the scope and effectiveness of the enforcement interventions of NCC.
He pointed out that the NCC has been challenged by cases of copyright piracy involving institutional complicity which would require ICPC’s assistance to address.
The Director-General acknowledged that the Commission has benefited immensely from intelligence sharing with sister enforcement agencies like the Nigeria Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
“Recently, the Commission had some enforcement breakthroughs via intelligence sharing with the Customs Service resulting in the interception and seizure of an imported container load of assorted pirated books worth over N20 million Naira,” he added.
He called for resumption of manpower training of NCC staff by ICPC, adding, “NCC is interested in ICPC’s training activities, both at the academy and specific trainings for NCC Copyright Inspectors to upgrade their operational capacity and enforcement standards.”
Noting that the NCC was seriously constrained as a regulatory and enforcement agency by the lack of befitting office space, the Director-General called for ICPC’s institutional support in this regard.
He urged the ICPC Chairman to lend his voice to the urgent need of NCC for a befitting corporate operational Headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory.
“NCC has only one dilapidated building in Lagos while its Headquarters staff are scattered in different offices and buildings at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, a scenario which compromises staff discipline and undermines the confidentiality and effectiveness of the Commission’s operations as a regulatory and enforcement agency,” he pointed out.
The Director-General observed the disciplined and efficient conduct of ICPC operatives and commended its performance in canvassing the ethics of best practices in service delivery by public and private establishments.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStvand GOtv, to maintain its current subscription prices.
The FCCPC said the directive remains valid until the ongoing investigation into its proposed price hike is concluded.
The commission said, “This directive follows MultiChoice Nigeria’s request for an extension regarding its scheduled appearance before the Commission.
“While the FCCPC has granted the request, the company is now required to attend the rescheduled investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, along with all relevant officers and a comprehensive response.
“Pursuant to this, MultiChoice is expressly instructed to maintain the existing price structure as of February 27, 2025, pending the Commission’s review and final determination on the matter.”
FCCPC said maintaining the status quo on pricing is essential to prevent any potential consumer harm.
Multichoice had notified its customers of an upward review of their plans effective March 1, 2025.
Multichoice told subscribers that its premium DSTV package has been reviewed to N44,500 from N37,000 and Compact Plus reviewed to N30,000 from N25,000.
The DSTV Confam plan was raised from N9300 to N11,000; Yanga and Padi were reviewed to N6,000 (N5200) and N4,000 (N3,600), respectively.
The price for GOtv Supa Plus was raised to N16,800 from N15,700; the Supa package was reviewed to N11,400 from N9,600; the Max plan was reviewed from N7,200 to N8,500; the Jolli plan was reviewed to N5,800; and Jinja and Smallie were reviewed to N3,900 and N1,900, respectively.
The development prompted FCCPC to summon Multichoice to attend an investigative hearing at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
According to FCCPC, Multichoice has to provide a satisfactory explanation for its action.
The commission said, “This action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.
“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases, amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and market abuse.”
Broadcasting
Konga Communications Hosts NBC Delegation, Reaffirms Commitment to Excellence and Compliance
It was a landmark day at Konga Communications as the team from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) paid a working visit to the studios of KongaTV and KongaFM 103.7 recently.
L-R: Team Lead, KongaTV, Ayo Jimi; NBC Lagos Zonal Director, Raphael Akpan; Head, KongaTV and KongaFM, Ifeoma Ajumobi; National Broadcasting Commission Director General, Charles Ebuebu; Director Public Affairs, NBC, Susan Obi; Team Lead Technical, KongaTV and KongaFM, Ahmed Jaiyeola; Team Lead, KongaFM, Chidi Okenne
The visit marked a significant step in the station’s journey toward delivering high-quality, engaging, and regulatory-compliant content.
Led by Charles Ebuebu, director general, NBC, the delegation also included: Raphael Akpan, Lagos Zonal director, and Susan Obi, director of Public Affairs.
They were warmly received by the leadership of Konga Communications, including: Ifeoma Ajumobi Head (KongaTV and KongaFM); Ayo Jimi, team tead KongaTV; Chidi Okenne, team lead KongaFM, and Ahmed Jaiyeola, team lead Operations.
The NBC’s visit was both insightful and productive, with the regulatory body offering invaluable feedback and guidance on content direction and operational standards.
Emphasizing the importance of community engagement and responsible broadcasting, the NBC urged KongaTV and KongaFM to incorporate climate change sensitization into their programming and scheduling.
This is a crucial move in the global fight for environmental awareness.
Furthermore, the commission stressed the need for the station’s content to reflect at least 70 percent commerce-related programming and 20 percent news, aligning with Konga’s core mission to bridge the gap between entertainment and commerce.
The NBC also advised the station to actively encourage audience feedback, creating an open channel for listeners and viewers to share their perspectives, no matter how critical.
Speaking on the visit, Ms Ajumobi, expressed gratitude for the NBC’s support and reaffirmed the station’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of broadcasting.
“We are incredibly honored to host the NBC team and gain from their wealth of experience and insight. Their feedback gives us a clear roadmap to strengthen our content, enhance audience engagement, and ensure we stay true to the NBC code. At KongaTV and KongaFM, we are fully committed to creating innovative, commerce-driven, and informative programming while also championing important causes like climate action and community development. This visit has further inspired us to raise the bar,” Ajumobi said.
As KongaTV and KongaFM continue to grow their reach and impact, the collaboration with NBC is a testament to their resolve to deliver quality content that educates, entertains, and empowers. The future is bright, and Konga Communications is ready to lead the charge.
Subscribers in Nigeria have threatened to boycott the services of Multichoice Nigeria, the parent company of satellite television, DSTV and GOtv after a shocking review of their tariff plans by over 20 per cent.
This is coming as the he Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), summoned the PayTV company to explain its proposed subscription price increase.
Recall that in a surprise notification to customers, DSTV on Monday, announced an upward review of their plans effective March 1, 2025.
It is uncertain whether DSTV received regulatory approval to proceed with the upward review which is the second in the last 10 months.
The company reviewed its prices in April last year.
In this fresh development, Multichoice told subscribers that its premium DSTV package has been reviewed to N44,500 from N37,000 and Compact Plus reviewed to N30,000 from N25,000.
DSTV Confam plan was raised from N9300 to N11,000; Yanga and Padi reviewed to N6,000 from N5200, and to N4,000 from N3,600, respectively.
Similarly, the price for GOtv Supa Plus was raised to N16,800 from N15,700; the Supa package reviewed to N11,400 from N9,600; the Max plan was reviewed from N7,200 to N8,500, the Jolli plan was reviewed to N5,800 while Jinja and Smallie were reviewed to N3,900 and N1,900 respectively.
Although Multichoice admitted that consumers were also battling economic challenges, it said it arrived at the decision after “in-depth analysis”.
The decision by DSTV and GOtv has heightened the frustration of subscribers who are still battling with the April 2024 price list.
Ebuka Michael with X handle, @e_bukamichael said, “Nigerians wake up! It is time to boycott Multichoice! We can’t be struggling to feed and still struggle to pay half the minimum wage to watch DSTV. This is extortion and it must stop”.
In a further effort to boycott DSTV subscribers, an aggrieved consumer, @silentwilsn shared “Websites where you can stream football, movies, soap operas, kids’ shows, and even live TV offering everything available on DStv and GOtv for free”.
Other subscribers like Adetokunbo Ademola with X handle, @iamade040482, blamed lawmakers and regulatory agencies for DSTv’s constant upward review.
He lamented, “I don’t blame them ,DSTV. I blame Nigerian lawmakers who give them this chance due to corruption. What exactly is stopping Nigerians from getting ‘pay as you watch’ package?”
FCCPC in reaction, said, “Exercising its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC directed the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an investigative hearing at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday, February 27, 2025, according to the statement issued by Ondaje Ijagwu, director, Corporate Affairs on Tuesday, the commission’s summon is in line with its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA.
“This action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.
“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases, amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and market abuse”.
FCCPC said Multichoice will be sanctioned if found wanted.
“Should MultiChoice fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be found in violation of fair market principles, the FCCPC will be left with no other option than to impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers”, the commission said.
The FCCPC said it is engaging the sector regulator and other relevant agencies to ensure fair competition and consumer protection within Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription landscape.
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