National Broadcast Academy Honours Christopher Kolade, Ernest Okonkwo

National Broadcast Academy, NBA, Ikeja – Lagos, has dedicated its hall and a digital studio, in honour of two Nigerian veteran broadcasters.

They are a former Director- General of Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and Nigerian diplomat to the United Kingdom; Dr Christopher Kolade and the late Sports commentator; Mr Ernest Okonkwo.

According to a statement over the weekend, while  performing the dedication on behalf of the Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Dr Mansur Liman, the Director of the Academy, Mr Ike Okere, said the school decided to honour the Veterans with the recognition, for their contribution to Broadcast industry and national development.

In a message to the occasion, Dr Kolade expressed gratitude to the management of the Academy for such recognition.

Dr Kolade, who turns ninety on the twenty eight of December, offered some words of advice to the Nigerian broadcasters, to ensure that the profession does not loose its standards.

He called on them to focus on people rather than selves. He said they must understand the need of the audience and package their programmes to align with it.

The Veteran explained that broadcast could be used to promote  ideas and warned that, the ideas must be of public interest.

The former Director-General of Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, said being courteous as broadcasters, while discharging their duties, was important.  He therefore advised broadcasters to exhibit courteousness in whatever they do.

Dr Kolade reminded broadcasters not to forget that communication today, is all about today and that there was need to package their programmes on the events of the day.

In a remark, the daughter of the late sports Veteran, Mrs Amaka Okonkwo Oboh, thanked the management of the Academy for honouring her late father.

On the occasion, the school inaugurated its Alumni reunion, with the opening of Alumni office on the campus.

A multi language speaker and broadcaster, Bisi Olatilo was nominated as the chairman of the organizing committee.

The Association has called on the alumnus and the alumnae to register with the association.

The institute appealed to members to support it, as done in others schools, so that its  infrastructure could be improved.

Responding, the Alumni present at the event, including Bimbo Oloyede, Mrs Funke Treasure, and Cordilia Okpei, applauded the Academy for holding the meeting and promised to support the school, through the Association.

The event also witnessed the closing ceremony of the 2022 Batch C Basic Courses and the presentation of testimonials to graduands.

Presenting the graduating students to the audience, the Director of Academic Planning, Mr. Ayodele Aliyu expressed confidence that the Academy had equipped the students with all the necessary skills, they needed to succeed as broadcasters.

Addressing the out going students, the former Director of the institute, Engineer Abiola Ajibola encouraged them to carve out a niche for themselves, as broadcasters.

Management who witnessed the event included the Registrar of the Academy, Mrs. Bukola Adedeji, the Director of Physical Planning, Prince Duru Eugene and the Acting Bursar, Mrs Idowu Oluwakenmi.

Others were the General Managers of Bond FM; Mrs Nike Adegoke and Mrs Ngozi Okpara of Metro FM.

Caption:

Christopher Kolade Hall at NBA Ikeja Lagos