Dembos takes oath of office, pledges to move BON forward

Mr Salihu Dembos, Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has taken the oath of office as the new Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).

Dembos took the oath alongside his Vice, Chief Tony Akiotu of DAAR Communications at the investiture ceremony organised by BON on Thursday in Abuja.

The new BON chairman in his remarks, said he would build on the great achievements put in motion by the immediate past Chairman, Mr John Ugbe.

“I know that he left a very big vacuum that is difficult to fill, but with the support and cooperation of members, we will discharge our duties with all sense of responsibilities to move BON forward.

“So, the new leadership will continue to tap from the experiences of the past chairmen and executive secretaries of BON.

“We will do everything possible to not only make progress in BON, but to also excel,” Dembos said.

Earlier, Ugbe said the journey started with his election in Kano in October 2021 and subsequent investiture alongside his Vice, Dr Mansur Liman.

He expressed appreciation to those that supported him in achieving his set objectives in the organisation, such as the Maiden Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Awards (NAB) and the reactivation of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters.

Others are the capacity building for staff of member stations, and widening of the scope of international relations through connection with organisers of the yearly NAB show in Las Vegas U.S.

Ugbe called for more partnership from regulatory agencies such as Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to enhance a vibrant industry.

He decried the low financial flow and the indebtedness of member stations to BON which currently stood at over N100 million as shown in the 2022 audited accounts.

The Director-General of FRCN, Dr Muhammed Bulama, expressed confidence in the capacity of Dembos and Akiotu to deliver on the mandate of BON.

“As very pivotal and important stakeholders, the FRCN under my watch, will not take BON for granted.

“We will make the industry strive, because it is a platform where private and public broadcasters come together.

“So, we will provide whatever support that is needed to move BON forward,” Bulama said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted relevant stakeholders in the media industry from across the country.