Toun Okewale Sonaiya, MD/CEO of Women Radio 91.7, was formally sworn in as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) during its inaugural Annual General Meeting on October 30, 2024, in Lagos. This event marked a landmark occasion for IBAN, as it established its governing structure and elected its first Board of Trustees and Executive Council members.

Joined by other newly elected Trustees, Dr. Ahmed Tijani Ramalan, Lemi Olalemi, and Tony Dara, Okewale Sonaiya took an oath to uphold the principles of the association with dedication and integrity. Dr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Media Group was named Chairman of the Board of Trustees as he expressed IBAN’s collective commitment to shaping the future of Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape in line with the association’s constitution and code of conduct.

In his opening remarks, IBAN Chairman Dr. Ahmed Ramalan highlighted the association’s vision to drive collaborative efforts across Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. He emphasized that effective partnerships with stakeholders are essential for advancing industry standards and tackling common challenges.

In his remarks, NBC Director Charles Ebuebu expressed the National Broadcasting Commission’s commitment to a supportive partnership with IBAN, affirming that the Commission is open to addressing industry concerns and facilitating initiatives that strengthen the sector.

As Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. John Momoh spoke on the need for traditional media to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape. He urged regulatory bodies to adopt policies that support growth, particularly as the industry grapples with digital disruption and declining advertising revenues. Dr. Momoh called for a review of the NBC code to align with international standards, enabling Nigerian broadcasters to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Guest speaker, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, former Acting Director General of NBC, discussed the theme, “Digitalization of Broadcasting in Nigeria.” pointing out the ongoing challenges in implementing the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project and called for renewed efforts to streamline broadcasting policies and licensing structures, stressing the need to complete the digital transition.

With a core mission to foster collaboration, promote knowledge exchange, and elevate broadcasting standards, IBAN’s AGM underscored the association’s commitment to addressing current industry challenges while preparing for future opportunities.

Oreoluwa Owololabi
Women Radio 91.7
news@wfm917.com