Osinbajo, others mark 60th anniversary of WNTV, first TV station in Africa
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has led other dignitaries in marking the 60th anniversary of the Western Nigeria Television, first TV station in Africa.
Taking to his Twitter handle @ProfOsinbajo on Thursday, the VP noted that exactly 60 years ago today, the (late) Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, then flanked by Governor General, Sir John Rankine; Chief Anthony Enahoro and Chief T.T. Solaru, formally entered the history books by inaugurating the Western Nigeria Television, the first in Africa.
The VP noted that the October 31, 1959 feat was ahead of countries such as China, who inaugurated its own first TV in 1962; Canada in 1967, New Zealand in 1960, and several European countries, including the Netherlands in 1960, Ireland in 1961, Greece in 1966 and Malta in 1962.
"we celebrate what is possible," the VP noted.
According to Wiki citation, Western Nigeria Television was the first television service station launched in Nigeria and Africa.
It was a partnership between Overseas Rediffusion and the Western regional government.
Its first broadcast was on October 31, 1959. However, in 1962, the government parted ways with its foreign partner, and WNTV came under the sole control of the regional government.
In 1975, the Federal Government established Nigerian Television Authority network service and acquired all TV stations in Nigeria to form the network. "WNTS then became NTA Ibadan." Wiki reports, citing relevant authorities.
Continuing, it notes that WNTV was created as a partnership between the Western regional government and a foreign firm.
"It was designed to be an educational tool for the masses and also a medium to beam local culture, foreign news and aims of the government to the homes of people in the region.
"Establishment of the station was enhanced by a constitutional change which removed broadcasting from an exclusive item to a concurrent item and political resolution of the regional premier, Obafemi Awolowo and the regional minister of Information, Anthony Enahoro," it added.
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