To make Nigerian Economy the Leading One in Africa is Jonathan's Goal - Maku

Lagos - At the launch of a new television station EbonyLife TV on
Sunday, President Goodluck Jonathan stated that Nigeria must lead the
continent in creating a media industry that would tell the good
stories of Africa.
The event took place at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites,
Victoria Island, Lagos. President was represented by the Minister of
Information, Mr Labaran Maku.
"Nations must grow a media industry to tell their stories and showcase
their talents; Nigeria, being the giant of Africa, must take a
leadership position in this quest. "Our greatest stories lie in our
creative industry, and the president is prepared to support this to
the last letter," he said.
The president affirmed that more private television stations would be
established once the process of digitalising broadcast media was
finished. "The future of Nigeria rests onthe private sector, and we
will continue with the reforms in the private sector and the media.
"We are creating a new fund for the media and creative industries,
such that will further assist the industries," the president said.
Mr. Jonathan reiterated that the goal ofhis administration is to make
Nigerian economy the leading one in Africa, andencouraged interested
investors to look into Nigeria's creative industry.
He congratulated the Founder of the television station, Mo Abudu,
describing the establishment of the station as historic.
Earlier, Abudu said that the station was aimed at giving Africa a new
perspective by projecting its potential."It is God-inspired. It's been
a long journey. I have always wanted to have a channel. "This is the
right time. If I had done it at any other time, it would have failed.
"It is a channel made in Nigeria; it is our channel, and it can go
anywhere and represent Nigeria. You have to make it your channel now,"
she said.
The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, hoped that
the television station would be a "new voice'' for Africa. "This
station is comingat a very beautiful time. It is coming at a time
Africa has a compelling story to share with the rest of the world,''
he said. Aganga said the station was established at a time when six
out of the world's fastest growing economieswere from Africa and at a
time when Nigeria and Angola were among the top four contributors. "It
is coming at a time that Nigeria has attracted the largest investment
in Africa. The world has never seen this Africa before. "This is our
own. Our time has come. Our time is now. We want to earn foreign
exchange from the entertainment industry," he said.
Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River also claimed the station would have a
dramatic impact on Nigerian economy. "It will create jobs and expand
the creative industry in Nigeria," he said, calling for more funding
of the creativeindustry.
The new television station is located at Tinapa, Calabar. It will
transmit African movies, reality shows, fashions, music, drama and
other programmes on DSTV Channel 165.At the event, musical legends -
Victor Olaiya, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey,Onyeka Onwenu and 2face
Idibia - received awards for their contributionsto the development of
African music. Veteran actress, Joke Silver, was also honoured for her
contributions to the growth of the Nigerian motion picture industry. A
fashion designer, Deola Sagoe, received an award for exploits in the
fashion industry. The trio of Tonye Cole, Tope Shonubi and Ade Odunsi
of Sahara Energy Resource Ltd. was also recognised for contributions
to the growth of the oil and gas sector.
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and a former
Governor of Cross River, Mr Donald Duke, were at the launch. Ebenezer
Obey, Onyeka Onwenu, Omawumi, Banky W, Tiwa Savage, M.I. and Zaina
entertained the gathering with musical performances.