As campaigns for next year’s polls hot up, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has stated that the media industry holds the ace in promoting a credible exercise.

Danbatta, who gave the challenge at the 18th All-Nigeria Editors Conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in collaboration with the Imo State government in Owerri, reiterated the roles of journalists, before, during and after the elections.

In his goodwill message, delivered by the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the NCC boss, while x-raying the conference theme, “2023: Political Landscape, Credible Elections and Role of Editors,” declared that responsive journalism was critical to sustainable democracy.

He told the gathering that NCC was committed to the implementation of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) and National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030) and others geared toward enhancing connectivity and social cohesion in the country.

Danbatta, who asserted that the upcoming 5G spectrum auction and others are aimed at improving availability, accessibility and affordability, added that telecommunications infrastructure would enhance the credibility of the elections.

Lauding the media for the support over the years, the EVC acknowledged that the partnership has been mutual.

In a related development, the proposed auction of two lots in the 3.5GHz Spectrum for the deployment of 5G services, set to take place in December 2022, is gathering steam and the regulator has concluded arraignments to host an engagement session with stakeholders to discuss and provide more insight into the Draft Information Memorandum that would guide the process.

NCC had earlier announced the plan to license additional lots in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band for the deployment of the new technology in the Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) industry.

The interactive session, which holds on November 15, 2022, in Lagos, would feature comments and submissions from critical stakeholders on the memorandum. (The Guardian)

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