Broadcasting
Inspiration Fm Targets 10 Stations in Next 5 years
Inspiration Fm Radio Station is targeting to open 10 radio stations across the country in the next five years, said Mr Azubike Osumili, Group General Manager of the station.
Inspiration Fm currently operates three radio stations, which are: Inspiration 92.3 fm, Lagos; 100.5 fm, Ibadan and 105.9 fm, Uyo.
Speaking at the Meet and Greet Forum, organised by Inspiration 92.3 fm at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Thursday, Osumili said the station aimed to build radio conglomerate as directed by the Chairman of the station, Erastus Akingbola.
He said the station was currently processing licenses to establish more radio stations across the country, saying that “in the next five years, we want to be a station with 10 branches, even though the format and style will still be the same.”
According to him, the radio industry could be challenging, but stated that the station would clock 1o years this year despite the challenges, adding that Inspiration fm was the only brand that had family outlook.
Addressing partners of the station, Osumili renewed commitments of the station to the ethics and code of conduct of broadcasting in the country in designing programmes to meet the yearnings of the listeners.
He urged the media buyers to take full advantage of quality programmes on Inspiration platforms in Lagos, Ibadam and Uyo in order to expose the services and products of their clients to target audience.
On her part, the Group Head Marketing of the station, Olubukola Chidi thanked the media agencies and buyers for their long years of support for the station assuming that they stand to benefit more by keeping fate with Inspiration fm.
The General Managers for Ibadan and Uyo stations, Henry Eyo and Sam Akpan told the gathering that Inspiration fm had become a house hold name with growing fans within a short time.
Deji Falope, who is the Group Head, Brands and Business Development, urged media buyers to take advantage of the programmes offered by the station to place jingles.
According to Feyikemi Bamgbose, Up-Country Manager, Inspiration fm, “media buyers should take advantage of several events packaged by the station to place your jingles,” adding that the station had thousands of youths as audience.
At the event were the Chief Executive Officer, Matkis Group, Mr. Jimi Shotunbde; Chairman, Inspiration Fm Group, Dr. Erastus Akingbola; Special Guest, Prof. Pat Utomi and Group General Manager, 92.3 Inspiration Fm, Mr. Azubike Osumili, among others.
Broadcasting
Copyright Commission Warns School Proprietors Against Pirated Books
AS the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) intensifies its public awareness campaign, school proprietors in the FCT have been advised to exercise due diligence by procuring books from legitimate sources to curb copyright infringement and help sanitise the book value chain.
This was disclosed by Mr. Emeka Ogbonna, the Director Operations, NCC, in his address at the General Meeting of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT held at Veritas University, Abuja on 9th October, 2024.
Speaking to the participants, Mr. Ogbonna acknowledged the contributions of the proprietors to the educational development of the nation, emphasising the need for wholesome practices to protect the book ecosystem. ‘’If you must sell or distribute books, ensure you get them from the right sources”, he cautioned.
He said the warning was imperative in view of complaints from right owners and publishers about schools selling pirated books. He stated that the NCC is not opposed to schools selling books, but maintained that due diligence must be exercised by ensuring that all purchased books are properly documented with authentic receipts.
Sensitising the school proprietors further on the tenets of the new Copyright Act 2022, the Director said it is a criminal offence to sell, distribute or be in possession, other than for private or domestic use, works that are pirated. Harping on the stiffer punishments prescribed for offenders by the new Act, he said schools selling or distributing books will be treated as booksellers and subject to the same standard of care.
The NAPPS FCT President, Mrs. Ruth Agboola, commended the NCC and other government agencies in attendance and lauded the Management of Veritas University for hosting the event.
The meeting was also attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Veritas University, Abuja, Rev. Fr. (Prof) Hyacinth E. Ichoku and other officials of the University.
Broadcasting
TETFund Suspends Foreign Scholarships Due to Rising Costs and Abscondment
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced the suspension of the foreign component of its TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention, effective January 1, 2025.
This decision, outlined in a letter dated November 25, 2024, and signed by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, cites the escalating cost of overseas training and an increasing number of scholars absconding as reasons for the suspension. The letter was addressed to heads of beneficiary institutions, including vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts.
“In response to the current excessive cost of training in foreign institutions, coupled with the high rate of abscondment of scholars, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the suspension of the foreign component of the TSAS Intervention,” the letter stated.
TETFund has directed beneficiary institutions to prioritize local training within Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This shift, according to Echono, is aimed at reducing pressure on foreign exchange, enhancing local capacity, and significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries.
“It is expected that this will conserve and reduce pressure on the foreign exchange rate, boost investment and local capacity in our institutions while significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries of the intervention,” Echono wrote.
However, scholars already enrolled in foreign institutions under the TSAS programme will continue to receive sponsorship until they complete their studies, ensuring a smooth transition for ongoing commitments.
Broadcasting
Copyright Commission Pledges Support to Creatives on Contracts
Dr. John O. Asein, the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), has restated the Commission’s commitment to supporting all sectors of the creative industry to reward creatives and boost the nation’s economy.
The DG NCC stated this while receiving 2024 finalists of the National IP Creative Essay Competition, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Nigeria Office who paid a study visit to the Commission recently.
Pointing to the issue of contracts as one area that is being looked into, he emphasized that contracts should be fair and transparent with terms that are not unreasonable, enslaving or unduly onerous.
While acknowledging the long and tortuous process of statutory reform, Dr. Asein assured right owners and other stakeholders in the creative industry that the commission has commenced the process of reviewing the recently passed Copyright Act with a view to identifying areas of improvement.
In the meantime, he announced that the Commission will be putting in place administrative mechanisms to help right owners, through the provision of model contractual clauses, better negotiate and conclude contractual terms.
The Director-General also informed the visitors that the Commission has Alternative Dispute Resolution facilities to help right owners settle copyright disputes.
Congratulating the essay finalists, Dr. Asein used the opportunity to announce their induction as Copyright Ambassadors and urged them to be good representatives of the Commission and the copyright industry.
Dr. Tobi Moody, Director, WIPO Nigeria Office and leader of the delegation, informed the Commission that a total of 256 students from 68 tertiary institutions in 27 States entered for the competition, with a winner and 19 finalists emerging.
Dr. Moody disclosed that the Competition is in line with WIPO’s policy of encouraging students to research and be actively involved in Intellectual Property (IP) matters. He assured that WIPO will support the finalists with capacity building prizes and opportunities to further strengthen their engagement in the field of IP.
The theme for the 2024 essay competition is “IP and Sustainable Agriculture: Combating Food Insecurity in Nigeria”.
Mr. Ikenna Mba, a year-four law student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka emerged the overall winner of the competition while Mr. Chinonso Izundu, a year-five law student of the University of Port Harcourt and Mr. Adekunle Olajide, a year-four law student of University of Ilorin, were first and second runners-up respectively.
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