PROTOCOL
I am very pleased to be here with you on this historic day, the launch of the Abuja Digital Switch Over in television broadcasting.
The significance of this event cannot be lost on the world as the digital switchover becomes a reality in the capital city of Africa's largest economy and most populous nation.
Even if only for the the huge local and international opportunities for Broadcast, media, ICT, entertainment and education , we are right to say that we stand at the threshold of exciting times for job creation, entertainment and in general local and international commerce.
The successful launch of the pilot scheme in Jos in April has clearly demonstrated the gains of Digital Switchover. I am told that Viewers in the pilot are able to enjoy 15 free channels covering news, sports, music and business.
Local industry is already experiencing a boost from the new vista in digital economy, with several indigenous companies now manufacturing Set-Top-Boxes. Indeed I am told that many of the set-top-boxes we are using for this Abuja switchover are produced in Nigeria.
