The Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti; Society of Nigeria Broadcasters (SNB) National President, Professor Umar Pate and the Abia State chapter Chairman, Mrs Chinezerem Agbakuru, have extolled the role of broadcasting and broadcasters in the country. They eloquently underscored this role in turns at the 2026 yearly conference of the Abia chapter of the society.

The one day Conference themed, ‘Broadcasting Beyond the Signal: Community Impact in the Digital Era’, which was held at the Women Development Centre, Umuahia, the state capital, discussed among others, broadcasting as an important tool for development especially the rural communities, emphasising that broadcasters and media professionals improve the lives of their audience at all levels.

Governor Otti who flagged off the conference through his deputy, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, said that broadcasters are public informants, educators, community mobilsers, entertainers, and agents of social transformation describing these as indispensable role that extends beyond reporting of events.

Tasking broadcasters on sustaining this enormous responsibility placed on their shoulders as trusted custodians of truth in a world saturated with information, misinformation and disinformation, the governor argued, “the integrity of the nation’s democratic institutions, the unity of communities and education of young people depend on the quality and credibility of the information they receive.”

He also commended the SNB National, Pate, and the Abia State leadership led by Agbakuru of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, for their remarkable contributions to the growth of the country.

On the conference theme, the governor said it was both timely and relevant in an era where technology has fundamentally transformed the way information is created, distributed and consumed.

Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s recognition of the media as strategic partner in governance and development , and that responsible broadcasting remains indispensable to building a progressive state, charging the conferees to engage in robust discussions on how broadcasting can continue to positively impact communities amid technological and changing audience behaviour.

Pate , who was represented by the National Vice President, South East Zone, Sir Chimdi Oluoha, hailed the Abia State chapter leadership for exceptional performance and great leadership among the states in the South East Zone.

He maintained that SNB would continue to regulate the practice and provide platforms for boadcasters to sharpen their skills and be professional in their practice.

Agbakuru, had, in her address, stated that the conference underscored broadcasting as an important tool not only for development, especially the rural communities, but improving the lives of their audience.

The conference featured a lecture on its theme , presented by the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the Abia State University, Uturu, Professor Paschal Ihechu, and induction of new members.

They included goodwill messages delivered by the Heads of Broadcast Stations in the state, the Acting Director General of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, Mr. Francis Nwubani, represented by the Director, News and Current Affairs Department, Mr. Blessing Egbu.

Present at the event were the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Danladi Isah represented by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, State Chairman – Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Mrs. Onyinye Ralph-Nwachukwu and others.