NCC tasks journalists to tackle misconceptions about 5G technology

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NCC tasks journalists on 5G technology — L-R: Grace Ojougboh, Head, Online Media & Special Publications, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Usma Malah, Director, Human Capital and Administration; Blessing Olaifa, Chairman, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Abuja Chapter; Prof. Mohammed Ajiya, President/Chief Executive Officer, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI); Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, NCC; Usman Mamman, Head, Human Capital, NCC; Bashir Bello, Head, Legislative & Government Relations, NCC and Truddy Tony-Awusaku, Principal Manager, Public Affairs, NCC,during the opening ceremony of the capacity building in at DBI, Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has tasked journalists to help tackle misconceptions about 5G technology amongst the populace, including the notion that it was the reason behind the spread of the novel COVID-19 Pandemic.
Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, who gave the charge today in Abuja at the opening of a capacity building programme for members of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), noted that “a lot of falsehoods and misinformation have been peddled both on online and traditional media outlets about the health and safety implications of deploying 5G technology.”
Citing a recent study conducted by Qualcomm, Danbatta stated that “5G will affect the global economy and drive growth exponentially.
“5G’s full economic effect will likely be realized across the globe by 2035, supporting a wide range of industries and potentially enabling up to $13.2 trillion worth of goods and services. This impact will be much greater than the current 4G network.”
Speaking further, the NCC boss said “5G when fully deployed will provide increased speed and bandwidth as well as provide deeper coverage to reach people in rural or challenging locations. In addition, 5G will provide strong security for the various sectors of government and private organizations.
“Due to its sheer scale and scope, the ITU predicts 5G will accelerate the achievements of all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) from affordable and clean energy to zero hunger.
“The misinformation/misrepresentation of 5G technology has the potential of derailing the launch/implementation of this new technology in our clime.
“Many Nigerians including citizens in more civilized countries were hooked on the notion that the introduction of 5G technology was the reason behind the spread of the novel COVID-19 Pandemic.

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“This misconception was even made worse because those saddled with the responsibility of informing, educating and enlightening the average Nigerian telecom consumers were also bereft of the knowledge of this new technology and hitched a ride on the band wagon of doubters.
“This is the reason why training such as this is necessary for members of NITRA who have continued to cover the ICT industry in Nigeria. We will ensure that the NCC maintains this training periodically for our crucial stakeholders in the media to ensure that the information that reaches the average Nigerian is accurate and timely.
“It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that whatever we want to introduce to the Nigerian telecoms space is well understood by Nigerians and all those who make use of our telecoms services.
“The onus is on all of us here today to make sure that we take this training seriously and take advantage of it to expand on our horizons. This is very necessary so that when we report events or activities relating to the industry, we are able to translate them into a language that the common man will readily understand.”
He enjoined members of NITRA to be objective in their reportage, and also ensure that the populace benefits from the knowledge they will acquire during the training programme.