Nigerian Television Authority pioneer staff launches book to commemorate 42nd anniversary of station

Yusuf Adeleke in Abeokuta

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Abeokuta channel 12, pioneer forum on Saturday launched a book telling the story of the station, as part of activities to celebrate the 42 year old existence of the station.

Penpushing reports that the events took place at the station operational headquarters located in Ogbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital with members of the pioneer staff in attendance and joined by others outside the country through a zoom.

The colorful and well packaged ceremony was another opportunity for the former staff to meet again, and recalled the memorable good old days when they work together in unison to bring the station to limelight.

Penpushing further reports that, the book titled, ’First Person Personal: My NTA Abeokuta Story’, was reviewed by an erudite mass communication teacher, Prof Lai Osho, who pointed out  the relevance of the book in regard the station existence

The book reviewer stated that, commitment is the key to good leadership, adding that, skills and creativity is what needs to be emphasised more, pointing out that an organization with good progressive leadership will get good workforce

“In any organization if you have a very good progressive leadership, you are likely to get a work force that will get things done to the credit of the organization, to me, that is the story of NTA. It is people that build nation but those people must have their reasons to commit their lives for the institution’, he said.

Penpushing also reports that,  Osho urged young journalists to adopt creativity to their skills,  stressing that, technology is just pathway which everyone should be creative enough to make use of  for the advancement of the progression.

“It is not technology alone that makes you professional; it is your skills and creativity. You may have the technology but may not be able to do good things if you are not creative in putting the resources together to get things done’, Osho added.

Penpushing reports that, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Forum, Mrs Modupe Oladimeji said the Nigerian Television (NTA) was established by the Nigerian Television Act Cap 24 of 1976 as the national television broadcasting network for Nigeria.

The chairman added that it is expressly mandated to provide as a public service in the interest of Nigeria, independent and impartial television broadcasting for general reception within Nigeria.

‘It was created by the military government of Generaal Olusegun Obasanjo from a merger of 12 existing regional television organizations at the time which included the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV)’

‘The new station saddled with the responsibility of furthering this vision in Ogun state began in earnest by putting limited structures  and manpower down at a rented two storey apartment in the Isabo area of the rock city of Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital’, she recalled

Penpushing also reports that, Oladimeji noted that  the  42 year old Nigerian Television(NTA) Abeokuta has soldiered on with the same guts and glory written into its DNA birth, and commended the courage of the founding staff.

The board chairman gave identities of the pioneer set of Managers as include: Mr H.O Robin (General Manager), Mr Akin Sofoluwe (Controller of Programme) ,Mr Biodun Adetuberu (Controller of News and Current Affairs),Mr Zaccheus Idowu (Chief Accountant), Engr Dayo Kujore (Acting Chief Engineer) and Ramoni   Soyombo (Administration Officer)

Penpushing further reports that, Oladimeji recalled some of the unique and unforgettable programmes produced by the station as include: ‘Do it Yourself’ ,’We are brothers’, ‘Hot seat’, ’Our Guest’, ‘Children’s Time’ and ‘Get Smart’.

The others are, ‘Be a Winner’, ‘Musulumi Olododo’, ‘Christian Half Hour’, ‘Ogbon Agba’, ‘College Contest’, ‘So Da Be’, ‘Fogbonyo’, ‘Egbeyewo’, ‘News at 7’,’News Panorama’, ‘Today in the Papers’, ‘Sports Desk’, ‘Oba Lagbe’, ‘Ilera Loro’, ‘Health Issues’, ‘Hustle and Boogie’ and a lot of drama presentations

Penpushing also reports that, the 226 page book contained the historical background of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Channel 12, Abeokuta, and individual experiences of the pioneer staff, as well as number of photographs of the old staff

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